County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980

• Citation: S.I. 1980/397 (N.I.)
• Sections: 78

Section 1 Title and commencement

(1) This Order may be cited as the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980.

(2) Commencement

Section 2 Interpretation

(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) In this Order—

“action” includes any proceedings which may be commenced as prescribed by civil bill or petition, or which have been remitted from the High Court to a county court;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“ capital value ” means capital value for the purposes of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and shall be construed in accordance with Article 39 of that Order;

“ capital value list ” has the meaning given by Article 40(1)(b) of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977;

“ chief clerk ” means an officer of the Department designated as such by the Department;

“costs” includes witnesses' expenses;

“court” means a county court held ... under this Order;

“decree” includes a dismiss, a decree on a counter-claim and any order, decision or determination made by a county court in any civil proceedings instituted by virtue of any statutory provision, and any judgment registered under the Inferior Courts Judgments Extension Act 1882 , and any decree or dismiss which is affirmed, reversed or varied on appeal;

“defendant” includes a defendant in a counter-claim;

“ the Department ” means the Department of Justice;

“ division ” means an administrative court division specified under section 2 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 for any purposes of a county court;

“judge” means, subject to paragraph (3)( d ), a county court judge, that is to say a judge appointed under section 102 of the County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 ;

“matter” means any proceedings in a county court other than an action;

“ NAV list ” has the meaning given by Article 40(1)(a) of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977;

“ net annual value ” means net annual value for the purposes of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and shall be construed in accordance with Articles 39 and 39A of that Order;

“order” includes any decree or other order whatsoever of a county court;

“Office” in relation to any proceedings, means the office of the chief clerk ...;

“plaintiff” includes every person seeking any relief (otherwise than by way of counter-claim as defendant) by any form of civil proceeding;

“prescribed” means prescribed by county court rules or as the context may require by rules of court;

“proceedings” includes all actions, matters and proceedings whatsoever (whether civil or criminal);

“representative” includes any person to whom a grant of representation of the estate of a deceased person has been made;

“statutory provision” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1( f ) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 .

(3) In this Order—

(a) a reference to a sum of money in relation to a decree, includes a reference to any costs or interest awarded by the decree, or any interest payable on foot of the decree;

(b) a reference to a party to any proceedings includes a reference to any solicitor (or, as the case may require, any counsel) acting for that party in those proceedings;

(c) a reference to a deceased person includes a reference to a person whose death may be presumed or has been presumed in accordance with law;

(d) a reference to a county court judge shall, for the purposes of or in relation to any proceedings in a county court, be construed as including a reference to a deputy judge appointed under section 107 of the County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959.

(4) In determining for the purposes of any provision of this Order whether an amount exceeds, or is less than, a sum specified in that provision, no account shall be taken of Article 45A or of anything done under it .

(5) Any power conferred by this Order . . . to give directions includes power to vary or revoke any directions so given.

(6) For the purposes of section 42(2) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (validity of Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland), provisions of this Order which re-enact provisions of an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland shall be deemed to be provisions of such an Act.

Section 3 County courts ...

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) A court shall be held at such place or places in each division as may be specified in directions given under Article 4.

(3) A court held under paragraph (2) shall—

(a) be called a county court and be a court of record; and

(b) have throughout Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and powers conferred on a county court by this Order or any other statutory provision.

Section 4 Directions as to holding of courts

The Lord Chief Justice may give directions as to—

(a) the places at which county courts are to be held;

(b) the number of ordinary sittings of county courts which are to be held each year;

(c) the ordinary hours of sitting of county courts;

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) the cancellation of any sitting of a county court for which provision has been made under this Order where there is no, or insufficient, business to be transacted at that sitting; and

(f) such other incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary matters as appear to the Lord Chief Justice to be necessary or proper.

Section 5 Courthouses

Subject to section 13 of the Administration of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 sittings of county courts shall, except where the Lord Chief Justice otherwise directs, be held in courthouses provided or maintained under Part I of that Act.

Section 6 Appointment of days for holding of ordinary sittings

(1) Subject to any provision made by virtue of Article 4, in each year the Lord Chief Justice shall—

(a) on or before 1st May, appoint the days for the holding of the ordinary sittings of the county court in each division for the period of twelve months commencing on 1st September next following; and

(b) on or before 1st July cause notice of the days so appointed to be published.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 7 Additional and extraordinary sittings

(1) The Lord Chief Justice may, where he considers it expedient to do so for the purpose of avoiding delay in the administration of justice, give directions for the holding of sittings of the county court in addition to the ordinary sittings fixed under this Order.

(2) Subject to county court rules and to any directions given by the Lord Chief Justice under Article 4 or paragraph (1), a judge may, in addition to the ordinary sittings, sit at any other time or times for the hearing of any proceedings where he is satisfied that such additional sitting is necessary or expedient for the doing of justice between the parties.

Section 8 Adjournments

(1) A judge may adjourn any court held by him.

(2) Where by reason of death or unavoidable absence the judge is not present at any ordinary or other sitting of a court, a circuit registrar or an officer of the court present shall, subject to paragraph (3), open and adjourn, or as the case may be, adjourn the court to such day as he thinks convenient.

(3) An adjournment under paragraph (2) shall not operate to prevent a prescribed officer or circuit registrar from hearing and determining any civil action which he is authorised by any statutory provison or by county court rules to hear and determine.

(4) A judge may adjourn any proceedings for such period as will in his opinion best meet the ends of justice.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 9 Order of hearing

Subject to county court rules, the order in which proceedings are to be heard shall be determined by the judge.

Section 10 General civil jurisdiction

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action in which the amount claimed, or the value of specific chattels claimed, does not exceed £30,000 , including (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph) any action in which a balance not exceeding £30,000 is claimed—

(a) on foot of an account (including a partnership account);

(b) after allowances made for any amount admitted by the plaintiff to be due by him to the defendant (whether by way of set-off or on foot of a counterclaim or otherwise); or

(c) after the abandonment by the plaintiff of any sum by which the amount alleged to be due to him by the defendant exceeds £30,000 , so, however, that a decree in respect of any cause of action to which this sub-paragraph applies shall be, and be expressed to be, in full discharge of all demands in respect of that cause of action.

(2) A county court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any action claiming damages exceeding £3,000 in respect of libel or slander.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A county court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any Admiralty cause or matter.

(5) A county court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any action in which the title to any toll, fair, market or franchise is in question.

(6) A claim for the recovery of any rent or other sum not exceeding £15,000 due in respect of the use and occupation of any land may be joined with, and heard and determined together with, a claim under this Part for the recovery of that land.

Section 11 Recovery of legacies, annuities, etc.

(1) Without prejudice to Article 10, a county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any such action as is referred to in paragraph (2) or (3).

(2) This paragraph refers to actions—

(a) where the gross value of the estate of a deceased person does not exceed £45,000 , brought against the representative of that person by or on behalf of any person claiming to be entitled to any specific or other legacy or gift of residue out of, or a distributive share of, that estate; or

(b) brought against the representative of a deceased person (irrespective of the value of his estate) by any person—

(i) as legatee of a pecuniary legacy not exceeding £15,000 ; or

(ii) claiming to be entitled to arrears not exceeding £15,000 of any annuity payable out of that estate; or

(c) brought by—

(i) any person claiming as legatee of a pecuniary legacy not exceeding £15,000 charged on or payable out of any land; or

(ii) any person claiming to be entitled to arrears not exceeding £15,000 in respect of any rent-charge or annuity so charged as aforesaid;

against the person entitled to the land so charged, irrespective of the value of the estate or fund or the net annual value or capital value of any land affected.

(3) In an action brought on foot of any charitable donation or bequest, a county court may award a sum not exceeding £45,000 for principal or £2,000 for any annual sum, interest or rent-charge.

(4) In an action against representatives of a deceased person under this Article it shall lie with the plaintiff to prove that the defendants have received or but for their wilful default might have received assets of the deceased person sufficient for the satisfaction wholly or partly in the due course of administration of the plaintiff's claim.

Section 12 Actions for recovery of, or involving title to, land

(1) A county court shall, subject to paragraphs (1A) to (4) have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action—

(a) for recovery of land; or

(b) in which the title to any land comes in question;

if either of the following sub-paragraphs applies—

(i) the net annual value of the land does not exceed £4,060; or

(ii) the capital value of the land does not exceed £400,000.

(1A) Where land has a net annual value and a capital value, both conditions in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1) must be satisfied.

(2) An action for the recovery of land for non-payment of rent (not being an action for overholding) shall not be commenced unless at least one year's rent of the land sought to be recovered remains unpaid immediately before such commencement.

(3) A county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action for the recovery of any land (irrespective of the amount of the its net annual value or its capital value ) where—

(a) at least six months' rent of that land remains unpaid; and

(b) the tenant has deserted or otherwise abandoned the land leaving any premises thereon unoccupied or the land not farmed in accordance with the rules of good husbandry.

(4) A county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action by or on behalf of the owner of any land (irrespective of the amount of the its net annual value or its capital value ) where—

(a) any person has, by or on behalf of such owner, been put into possession or occupation thereof by permission or as a servant or caretaker or as a tenant strictly at will or on sufferance; and

(b) that person (or any other person claiming through or under him) neglects or refuses to quit and deliver up possession on demand made by or on behalf of such owner;

but this paragraph shall not prejudice or affect any other remedy available to such owner.

Section 13 Jurisdiction as respects injunctions

(1) Without prejudice to Article 14, a county court shall have the like jurisdiction as the High Court to grant an injunction with respect or in relation to any property (whether real or personal) or right with respect or in relation to which any proceedings might be brought in a county court.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), proceedings under this Article in respect of any easement, profit or other right may be brought—

(a) in the case where the servient tenement has a net annual value, only where that value does not exceed £4,060;

(b) in the case where the servient tenement has a capital value, only where that value does not exceed £400,000.

(3) Where the servient tenement has a net annual value and a capital value, both conditions in sub-paragraph (a) and (b) of paragraph (2) must be satisfied.

Section 14 Jurisdiction in equity matters

Without prejudice to any other provision of this Order, a county court shall have the like jurisdiction as the High Court to hear and determine any of the following proceedings, that is to say—

(a) any suit for the administration of the estate of a deceased person where the estate so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in amount or value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(b) any suit for the administration of any trust (including a charitable trust) where the trust estate or fund so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in amount or value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(c) any suit for possession, sale or redemption of, or for enforcing any mortgage, charge or lien whatsoever upon, lands not exceeding the relevant valuation limits ;

(d) any suit for the specific performance of an agreement for the sale, purchase or letting of any lands, or for the rectification, delivering up or cancelling of any such agreement, where as respects a sale the purchase money does not exceed £45,000 or as respects a letting the value of the land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(e) any suit for relief against fraud or mistake, where the damage sustained or the value of the subject matter of the suit so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 or the value of such subject matter so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(f) any suit for the taking of any partnership account or for the dissolution or winding up of any partnership (whether or not the existence of the partnership is in dispute) where the whole assets of the partnership do not exceed £45,000 in amount or value;

(g) any proceedings for the partition of land not exceeding the relevant valuation limits ;

(h) any proceedings by a landlord against a tenant to restrain waste (whether or not an account is sought) where the holding does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(i) any proceedings under the Settled Land Acts 1882 to 1890, where the property the subject thereof does not exceed in capital value £45,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .;

(j) applications under section 17 of the Married Women's Property Act 1882 or section 191 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 , irrespective of the value of the property in dispute;

(k) any proceedings under the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 , where the trust property to which the proceedings relate so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in amount or value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(l) any proceedings relating to the maintenance or advancement or for the protection of the property of an infant where such property so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in amount or value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits ;

(m) any application by a person claiming to be interested under a deed, will or other written instrument, for the determination of any question of construction arising thereunder, and for a declaration of the rights of the persons interested, where the property to which the application relates so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in amount or value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed the relevant valuation limits

(n) any such application or proceeding as is referred to in section 43(2) of the Administration of Estates Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 .

and for the purposes of this Article—

(aa) “ the relevant valuation limits ” means where the land has a net annual value, £4,060 and where the land has a capital value, £400,000;

(bb) “ value ” means net annual value or, as the case may be, capital value.

Section 15 Jurisdiction in contentious probate matters

A county court shall, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of the Administration of Estates (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 , have the jurisdiction of the High Court in respect of any contentious matter arising in connection with the grant or revocation of probate or administration.

Section 16 Power to grant limited administration

(1) Where—

(a) a person dies concerning whose property any proceedings are pending in a county court; and

(b) subject to paragraph (iii), the gross value of his property (exclusive of property to which he was entitled as a trustee and not beneficially) so far as it consists of property other than land does not exceed £45,000 in value and so far as it consists of land does not exceed—

(i) in the case where the land has a net annual value, £4,060;

(ii) in the case where the land has a capital value, £400,000;

(iii) in the case where the land has a net annual value and a capital value, both conditions in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (b) are satisfied.

(c) the judge is satisfied that representation has not been raised to him or that no representative is available for the purpose of the proceedings;

the judge may by order in writing under his hand appoint as executor for the purpose only of such proceedings such person as the judge may think fit; and such order shall be made subject to such conditions as to the giving of security and otherwise as the judge may think proper.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (1) shall for such purpose as aforesaid represent the deceased person as fully and effectually as if that person had died intestate and administration of his estate had been duly granted to the person so appointed.

Section 17 Representatives to lodge accounts if required

(1) The representatives of a deceased person the value of whose estate does not exceed £45,000 shall, if so required in writing at any time after the expiration of twelve months from the death of that person, by a legatee, devisee, next-of-kin, heir, creditor or other person interested in the estate, make up and lodge in accordance with county court rules a duly verified account setting forth such particulars of the estate as shall be prescribed; and any representative failing to comply with such a requisition shall be guilty of contempt of court.

(2) Every such account shall be preserved among the records of the chief clerk and shall, as against the representative signing it, be evidence of the matters therein set forth.

Section 18 Lodgment in court of legacies, etc., of infants and absentees

Where—

(a) a person who under a decree becomes entitled to a legacy or any sum of money or securities, is an infant or is out of the United Kingdom; or

(b) the court is satisfied that the address of any person so entitled cannot be ascertained without undue expense or delay;

the court may order that the legacy, sum or securities be lodged, in accordance with rules made under section 82 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 , either in the High Court or in the county court.

Section 19 Payment into court under Trustee Act

Subject to rules made under section 82 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 , a county court shall have the like jurisdiction as the High Court under section 63 of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 , to receive lodgments of money or securities in the hands or under the control of trustees where the amount or value thereof does not exceed £45,000 , and the said section 63 shall have effect accordingly.

Section 20 Payment into court in administration suits, etc.

(1) In any proceedings for the administration of or otherwise relating to the estate of a deceased person, or relating to any money or securities, in the hands or under the control of trustees, the court may at any time order money or securities to be lodged in court in accordance with rules made under section 82 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prejudice or affect the operation of sections 38(5) and 43(2) of the Administration of Estates Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 , or any other statutory provision authorising the lodgment of any moneys in a county court.

Section 21 Transfer to county court of money recovered in High Court by infants, etc.

(1) Where in any cause or matter in the High Court money is in any manner recovered by or on behalf of, or adjudged or ordered to be paid to or for the benefit of, a person who is an infant or of unsound mind, the High Court may order the money or any part thereof to be paid into or transferred to such county court as the High Court may order.

(2) On the making of any such order, the money or the part thereof to which the order relates shall be paid or transferred according to the order, and shall, subject to any special order or direction of the High Court and to rules made under section 82 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 be invested, applied or otherwise dealt with for the benefit of the person to whom the order relates in such manner as the county court in its discretion thinks fit.

Section 22 Power to increase civil jurisdiction of county courts

(1) If it appears to the Lord Chancellor, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, that—

(a) a sum specified in any of the foregoing provisions of this Part or in Article 30(1) or (3) should be increased, or

(b) where any other statutory provision limits the jurisdiction of county courts by reference (howsoever expressed) to a sum of money, that sum should be increased,

the Lord Chancellor may , after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, by order, specifying the provision and the sum in question, direct that the provision shall be amended so as to substitute for that sum such larger sum as may be specified in the order.

(2) An order under paragraph (1) shall be subject to negative resolution .

Section 23 Agreement conferring original civil jurisdiction

(1) Where by any provision of this Order or any other statutory provision the jurisdiction of county courts is limited by reference to any amount of money or value, or annual value, a county court shall, notwithstanding any such limitation but subject to paragraph (3), have jurisdiction to hear and determine any proceedings to which this Article applies.

(2) This Article does not apply to proceedings under section 57 of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 but, save as aforesaid, this Article applies to proceedings on foot of any contract or agreement being proceedings for a liquidated amount and—

(a) which but for such limitation as aforesaid would be within the jurisdiction of a county court; and

(b) as respects which the parties and their respective solicitors have entered into, signed and lodged in the Office before the commencement of the proceedings an agreement that a county court therein specified is to have jurisdiction.

(3) Where an agreement is lodged under paragraph (2) the county court judge may refuse to determine the proceedings to which it relates if in his opinion they involve an important question of law or fact properly triable in the High Court, and where he so refuses shall on the application of any party certify the reason for such refusal.

(4) In any action heard in a county court under this Article the county court shall have the like jurisdiction as the High Court as to the giving of any relief claimed, including (but without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph) the amount of damages that may be awarded.

Section 24 Procedure in proceedings beyond jurisdiction commenced in county court

Where in the course of any proceedings in a county court it appears to the judge that by reason of any statutory provision the proceedings are not within the jurisdiction of that court and ought to have been commenced in the High Court then—

(a) on the application of any party, or of his own motion, the judge may so certify to the Master (Queen's Bench and Appeals); or

(b) if the proceedings might have been heard by him by virtue of such an agreement as is referred to in Article 23(2), the judge may if the parties so consent hear and determine those proceedings; or

(c) if on the application of the defendant it appears to the judge that any plaintiff knew or ought to have known that the proceedings were not within the jurisdiction of the court, he may order the proceedings to be struck out and may in his discretion make such an order as to costs as he might have made if the proceedings had been heard and determined in favour of the defendant.

Section 25 Transfer from one county court to another

(1) Where in the course of any proceedings in a county court it appears to the judge that by reason of any statutory provision the proceedings are not within the jurisdiction of that court and ought to have been commenced in another county court, he may order the proceedings to be transferred to that other court, and such proceedings shall be heard and determined accordingly by that other court.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where any proceedings in which the costs are by virtue of any statutory provision in the discretion of the court are transferred from one county court to another, that discretion shall, subject to any order made by the court which ordered the transfer, or to any relevant agreement between the parties, be exercised by the court by which the proceedings are heard and determined.

Section 26 Actions transferred from courts of summary jurisdiction

Any terms imposed by a court of summary jurisdiction in ordering an action to be transferred to a county court under Article 75 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 shall be enforceable in like manner as terms imposed by an order of a county court.

Section 27 Saving for powers of remittal and removal

Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Part shall prejudice the operation of section 31 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (remittal and removal of proceedings).

Section 28 Appeals and applications to county courts

(1) A county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine in accordance with county court rules—

(a) any appeal from an order of a magistrates' court;

(b) any appeal from or application in respect of an order or determination of any other tribunal, authority, body or person whatsoever;

duly brought under any statutory provision and the decision of the county court shall, except as provided by Article 61, be final and conclusive.

(2) A county court may refuse to allow any appeal grounded solely on any error or omission in a summons, charge, information or other document or in any order or determination, or grounded solely on any other technical defect, not affecting the merits of the case, and may in any case, upon such terms as to costs or otherwise as it may think proper,—

(a) amend such summons, charge, information or other document for the purpose of making the order or determination comformable with it or of raising the real question at issue and deciding the matter as justice may require; or

(b) amend the order or other determination and adjudicate thereon as if the error, omission or defect had not happened.

(3) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by section 22 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 but subject to section 12(6) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 , a county court may on an appeal against a conviction or sentence award any punishment, whether more or less severe, than that awarded by the magistrates' court, which that court might have awarded.

(3A) The fact that an appeal is pending against an interim hospital order under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 shall not affect the power of the magistrates' court that made it to renew or terminate the order or to deal with the appellant on its termination; and where the county court quashes such an order but does not pass any sentence or make any other order in its place the county court may direct the appellant to be kept in custody or released on bail pending his being dealt with by that magistrates' court.

(3B) Where the county court makes an interim hospital order under the powers referred to in paragraph (3)—

(a) the power of renewing or terminating the order and of dealing with the appellant on its termination shall be exercisable by the magistrates' court whose decision is appealed against and not by the county court; and

(b) that magistrates' court shall be treated for the purposes of Article 45(6) of the said Order of 1986 as the court that made the order.

(4) In this Article “order” includes any conviction, sentence or other order whatsoever of a magistrates' court.

Section 29 Exercise of jurisdiction of county court

Subject to Articles 30 to 33, the jurisdiction and powers conferred on a county court by this Order or any other statutory provision shall be exercised by any judge of the court sitting alone or, to the extent authorised by this Order, any other statutory provision or county court rules, by any officer of the court or by a circuit registrar.

Section 30 Civil jurisdiction exercisable by circuit registrars

(1) Subject to paragraph (3), any action in which the amount claimed, or the value of specific chattels claimed, does not exceed £10,000 shall, save as otherwise provided by county court rules, be heard and determined by a circuit registrar in accordance with those rules.

(2) Any order, decision or determination made by a district judge under this Article (other than one made in dealing with a claim by way of arbitration under paragraph (3)) shall be embodied in a decree which for all purposes (including the right of appeal under Part VI) shall have the like effect as a decree pronounced by a county court judge.

(3) Where in any action to which paragraph (1) applies the amount claimed, or the value of specific chattels claimed, does not exceed £5,000 the circuit registrar shall, save as otherwise provided by county court rules, deal with the claim by way of arbitration in accordance with those rules.

(4) Where in any action to which paragraph (1) applies the claim is dealt with by way of arbitration under paragraph (3)—

(a) any award made by the district judge in dealing with the claim shall be embodied in a decree which for all purposes (except the right of appeal under Part VI) shall have the like effect as a decree pronounced by a county court judge;

(ab) any party may appeal on a question of law to a judge (not being a deputy judge) against any order, decision or determination;

(b) the district judge may, and shall if so required by the Court of Appeal, state for the determination of the Court of Appeal any question of law arising out of an award made by the district judge in dealing with the claim unless an appeal on the question has been brought under sub-paragraph (ab);

(c) except as provided by sub-paragraphs (ab) and (b) , any award so made shall be final; and

(d) except as otherwise provided by county court rules, no costs shall be awarded in connection with the action.

(4A) An appeal under paragraph (4)(ab) shall be brought within the period of twenty-one days commencing with the date on which the order, decision or determination was made; and on such an appeal the judge—

(a) has the same powers as the district judge; but

(b) is not required to hold a hearing;

and his decision shall be final.

(5) Subject to paragraph (4), county court rules may—

(a) apply any of the provisions of Part I of the Arbitration Act 1996 to arbitrations under paragraph (3) with such modifications as may be prescribed;

(b) prescribe the rules of evidence to be followed on any arbitration under paragraph (3) and, in particular, make provision with respect to the manner of taking and questioning evidence.

(5A) Except as provided by virtue of paragraph (5)(a), Part I of the Arbitration Act 1996 shall not apply to an arbitration under paragraph (3).

(6) References in paragraphs (1) and (3) to an amount claimed include references to a balance claimed in the circumstances mentioned in Article 10(1)( a )( b ) and ( c ).

Section 31 Arbitration

(1) The judge may, with the consent of the parties to any civil proceedings, order the proceedings to be referred to arbitration (whether with or without other matters within the jurisdiction of the court in dispute between the parties) to such person or persons and in such manner and on such terms as he thinks just and reasonable.

(2) Where any proceedings are referred to arbitration as aforesaid—

(a) the arbitrator shall be deemed to be an officer of the court;

(b) subject to the order, the arbitrator shall conduct the references in the prescribed manner;

(c) the award shall, unless set aside by the judge, have the like effect as a decree pronounced by the judge and shall be embodied in a decree accordingly;

(d) the remuneration to be paid to the arbitrator shall be determined by the judge, and, subject to any agreement between the parties or order of the judge, be costs in the proceedings.

Para. (3) rep. by 1996 c. 23

Section 32 Reference to officer

(1) Subject to county court rules the judge may refer to a circuit registrar or an officer of the court for inquiry and report—

(a) any proceedings requiring any prolonged examination of documents or any scientific or local examination which cannot, in the opinion of the judge, conveniently be made before him;

(b) any proceedings where the question in dispute consists wholly or partly of matters of account;

(c) with the consent of the parties, any other proceedings;

(d) any question arising in any proceedings.

(2) Subject to county court rules, every such reference shall be conducted in accordance with the directions of the judge.

(3) The judge may remit any report for further inquiry and report, and on the consideration of any report or further report may give such judgment or make such order as may seem just.

(4) The judge may, after deciding or reserving any question of liability, refer to a circuit registrar or an officer of the court any mere matter of account which is in dispute between the parties and, after deciding the question of liability, may give judgment on the circuit registrar's or officer's report.

Section 33 Assessors

(1) In any proceedings the judge may, if he thinks fit on the application of any party, appoint, in such manner as may be prescribed, a person or persons of skill and experience in the matter to which the proceedings relate who may be willing to sit with the judge and act as assessor or assessors.

(2) The remuneration of persons for acting as assessors shall be at such rate as may be prescribed and unless otherwise ordered by the judge shall be costs in the proceedings.

(3) Where any person is proposed to be appointed as an assessor, objection to him, either personally or in respect of his qualification, may be taken by any party in the prescribed manner.

Section 34 County court to have powers of High Court

(1) A county court in relation to any proceedings within its jurisdiction shall have the like powers as the High Court, and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing words of this paragraph) may—

(a) grant such relief, redress or remedy or combination of remedies, either absolute or conditional; and

(b) give such and the like effect to every ground of defence or counterclaim equitable or legal;

as ought to be granted or given in the like case by the High Court and in as full and ample a manner.

(2) A judge shall have jurisdiction in any proceedings pending in a county court to make any order or to exercise on an ex-parte application any authority or jurisdiction which, if it related to an action or proceeding pending in the High Court, might be made or exercised by a judge of that court in chambers.

(3) In any proceedings in or in relation to which a county court may under any statutory provision exercise the like powers as the High Court, a circuit registrar or his deputy may, subject to county court rules and to any direction of the judge, perform any functions which, if the proceedings had been brought in (or as the case may be had been retained in or removed to) the High Court might have been performed by an officer of the Court of Judicature .

Section 35 Power of High Court to grant injunctions

Without prejudice to the powers conferred on county courts by this Order, a party to any proceedings in a county court may during any interval between the sittings of that court apply for an injunction to such judge of the High Court as may be designated by rules of court; and—

(a) such judge shall have the like power to hear and determine the application as if the proceedings were an action commenced in the High Court; and

(b) the granting of such an injunction shall not operate to remove the proceedings from the county court to the High Court unless such judge so directs.

Section 36 Division of causes of action

It shall not be lawful for any plaintiff to divide any cause of action for the purpose of bringing two or more actions in any one or more than one county court.

Section 37 No action on judgment of other courts

It shall not be lawful for any person to sue in a county court upon a judgment or order of any other court in Northern Ireland but nothing in this Article shall apply to proceedings under [ Article 107 of the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 ].

Section 38 Civil proceedings by and against the Crown

Civil proceedings may be instituted in a county court by or against the Crown (whether in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom or of Her Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 .

Section 39 Capacity of parties

(1) Subject to this Order and to county court rules, the capacity of persons or classes of persons to institute or continue proceedings, and the liability of persons or classes of persons to be sued, in a county court shall be the same as in the High Court.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1)—

(a) a representative of a deceased person may sue or be sued in like manner as if he were a party in his own right;

(b) a person rendering himself an executor de son tort may be sued as if he were a rightful executor but shall not be liable beyond the amount of the assets actually received by him;

(c) a minor may sue as if he were of full age for money due to him under a contract of service or for work done by him;

(d) no proceedings shall abate by reason of the marriage, death or bankruptcy of , or the formation of a civil partnership by, any party, where the cause of action survives or continues, nor by reason of the assignment, creation or devolution of any estate or title pendente lite .

Section 40 Third and subsequent parties

(1) In any action where—

(a) a defendant claims to be entitled to contribution or indemnity from or other relief over against another defendant or any person not a party to the action (in this Article referred to as a “third party”);

(b) a third party makes a like claim against any other person, whether a party to the action or not (in this Article referred to as a “fourth party”),

a county court shall have jurisdiction to grant, subject to county court rules, any such relief as may be granted in the like case by the High Court to a defendant or third party.

(2) Subject to county court rules, the practice and procedure as between a defendant and a third party and as between a third party and a fourth party shall be the same as the practice and procedure as between a plaintiff and defendant.

(3) County court rules shall apply the foregoing provisions of this Article to—

(a) any action wherein a fourth party makes, as such, a claim against another person not a party to the action; and

(b) any action wherein any subsequent like claims are made successively.

(4) A party shall not be prejudiced or unnecessarily delayed in the prosecution of his claim by reason of questions between other parties in which he is not concerned.

Section 41 Service of process

Service of civil bills and other process and documents shall be effected and may be proved in such manner as shall be prescribed.

Section 42 Offences in relation to civil process

(1) Any person wilfully and corruptly endorsing on a civil bill, or other process or document initiating or relating to any civil proceedings in a county court, any false statement in relation to the service thereof shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Any person who—

(a) delivers or causes to be delivered to any other person any paper falsely purporting to be, or to be a copy of, any civil bill or other process of a county court, knowing it to be false; or

(b) acts or professes to act under any false colour or pretence of the process or authority of a county court;

shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Any person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to both such imprisonment and such fine.

(4) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), any person who delivers or causes to be delivered to any other person any document which, not having been issued under the authority of a county court, has by reason of its form (including its colour) or contents or both the appearance of having been issued under such authority shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale .

Section 42A Powers of court exercisable before commencement of action

(1) On the application of any person in accordance with county court rules, a county court shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, have power to make an order providing for any one or more of the following matters, that is to say—

(a) the inspection, photographing, preservation, custody and detention of property which appears to the court to be property which may become the subject-matter of subsequent proceedings in the court, or as to which any question may arise in any such proceedings; and

(b) the taking of samples of any such property as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), and the carrying out of any experiment on or with any such property.

(2) On the application, in accordance with county court rules, of a person who appears to a county court to be likely to be a party to subsequent proceedings in that court in which a claim in respect of personal injuries to a person, or in respect of a person's death, is likely to be made, the county court shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, have power to order a person who appears to the court to be likely to be a party to the proceedings and to be likely to have or to have had in his possession, custody or power any documents which are relevant to an issue arising or likely to rise out of that claim—

(a) to disclose whether those documents are in his possession, custody or power; and

(b) to produce to the applicant such of those documents as are in his possession, custody or power.

Section 42B Power of court to order disclosure of documents, inspection of property etc. in proceedings for personal injuries or death

(1) This Article applies to any proceedings in a county court in which a claim is made in respect of personal injuries to a person, or in respect of a person's death.

(2) On the application, in accordance with county court rules, of a party to any proceedings to which this Article applies, a county court shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, have power to order a person who is not a party to the proceedings and who appears to the court to be likely to have or to have had in his possession, custody or power any documents which are relevant to an issue arising out of the said claim—

(a) to disclose whether those documents are in his possession, custody or power; and

(b) to produce to the applicant such of those documents as are in his possession, custody or power.

(3) On the application, in accordance with county court rules, of a party to any proceedings to which this Article applies, a county court shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, have power to make an order providing for any one or more of the following matters, that is to say—

(a) the inspection, photographing, preservation, custody and detention of property which is not the property of, or in the possession of, any party to the proceedings but which is the subject-matter of the proceedings or as to which any question arises in the proceedings;

(b) the taking of samples of any such property as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) and the carrying out of any experiment on or with any such property.

(4) The preceding provisions of this Article are without prejudice to the exercise by a county court of any power to make orders which is exercisable apart from those provisions.

Section 42C Provisions supplementary to Articles 42A and 42B

(1) A county court shall not make an order under Article 42A or 42B if it considers that compliance with the order, if made, would be likely to be injurious to the public interest.

(2) County court rules may make provision as to the circumstances in which an order under Article 42A or 42B can be made.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2), county court rules shall be made for the purpose of ensuring that the costs of and incidental to proceedings for an order under Article 42A(2) or 42B incurred by the person against whom the order is sought. shall be awarded to that person unless the court otherwise directs.

(4) Articles 42A(2) and 42B and this Article bind the Crown to the full extent authorised or permitted by the constitutional laws of Northern Ireland: and Article 42A(l) binds the Crown to the same extent so far as it relates to property as to which it appears to the court that it may become the subject-matter of subsequent proceedings involving a claim in respect of personal injuries to a person or in respect of a person's death.

(5) In Articles 42A and 42B and this Article—

“property” includes any land, chattel or other corporeal property of any description;

“personal injuries” includes any disease and any impairment of a person's physical or mental condition.

Section 43 Subpoenas and commissions for examination of witnesses

(1) For the purpose of any proceedings in a county court the High Court shall have the like power—

(a) to issue a subpoena;

(b) to issue a commission, request or order for the examination of witnesses;

as the High Court has for the purpose of any proceedings in that court.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall operate without prejudice to any jurisdiction exercisable by a county court by virtue of Article 14 or any other provision of this Order.

Section 44 Evidence of prisoners

(1) Without prejudice to section 16 of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 , the judge in any proceedings pending in a county court may, if he thinks fit, upon the application of any party in accordance with county court rules, issue an order under his hand for bringing up before the court any person (in this Article referred to as a “prisoner”) confined in any prison or place under any sentence or under commitment for trial or otherwise to be examined as a witnesss in the proceedings.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a prisoner shall be brought before the court in the like custody and be dealt with in all respects in the like manner as a prisoner brought before and examined as a witness in the High Court by virtue of a writ of habeas corpus.

(3) A prison governor shall not be bound to obey the order unless there is tendered to him a reasonable sum for the conveyance and maintenance of any proper officers and of the prisoner in going to, remaining at and returning from the court.

Section 45 Decrees

(1) Every decree of a county court shall, except as provided by Part VI or any other statutory provision or county court rules, be final and conclusive between the parties.

(2) If at any time before the creditor has applied to the Enforcement of Judgments Office under [ Article 22 or Article 23 of the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 ] to enforce the decree it appears to the satisfaction of the judge that any party to any proceedings is unable from any cause to pay any sum decreed against him, the judge may in his discretion stay the execution of the decree for such time and on such terms as the judge thinks fit.

Section 45A Interest on debts and damages

(1) Subject to county court rules, in proceedings (whenever instituted) before a county court for the recovery of a debt or damages there may be included in any sum for which judgment is given simple interest, at such rate as the court thinks fit or as county court rules may provide, on all or any part of the debt or damages in respect of which judgment is given, or payment is made before judgment, for all or any part of the period between the date when the cause of action arose and—

(i) in the case of any sum paid before judgment, the date of the payment; and

(ii) in the case of the sum for which judgment is given, the date of the judgment.

(2) Subject to county court rules, where—

(a) there are proceedings (whenever instituted) be fore a county court for the recovery of a debt ; and

(b) the defendant pays the whole debt to the plaintiff (otherwise than in pursuance of a judgment in the proceedings),

the defendant shall be liable to pay the plaintiff simple interest at such rate as the court thinks fit or as county court rules may provide on all or any part of the debt for all or any part of the period between the date when the cause of action arose and the date of the payment.

(3) Interest in respect of a debt shall not be awarded under this Article for a period during which, for whatever reason, interest on the debt already runs.

(4) Interest under this Article may be calculated at different rates in respect of different periods.

(5) In this Article " plaintiff " means the person seeking the debt or damages and " defendant" means the person from whom the plaintiff seeks the debt or damage.

(6) Nothing in this Article affects the damages recoverable for the dishonour of a bill of exchange.

Section 46 County court rules committee

(1) There shall be a committee known as the County Court Rules Committee (in this Order referred to as “the Rules Committee”) which shall be appointed by the Lord Chief Justice and shall consist of—

(a) three county court judges (of whom one shall be the chairman);

(b) two barristers-at-law;

(c) two solicitors;

(d) one circuit registrar;

(e) one chief clerk; and

(f) one other person.

(1A) The Lord Chief Justice must consult the Lord Chancellor before making an appointment under paragraph (1)(b), (c), (e) or (f).

(2) Nothing done by the Rules Committee shall be invalid by reason only of a vacancy among the members thereof.

(3) The Rules Committee shall have power to regulate its own quorum and procedure.

(4) The secretary of the Rules Committee shall be such person as the Lord Chancellor shall from time to time designate.

(5) The Rules Committee for the purpose of performing its functions may incur such expenses as may be approved by the Lord Chancellor.