s 49 Letters Patent etc.
(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision as to— (a) the form and manner of preparation; and (b) the publication, of Letters Patent signed with Her Majesty’s own hand signifying Her Assent to a Bill passed by the Assembly. (2) If the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly so direct, impressions with the same device as the Great Seal of Northern Ireland shall be taken in such manner, of such size and on such material as is specified in the direction. (3) Each such impression— (a) shall be known as a Wafer Great Seal of Northern Ireland; and (b) shall be kept in accordance with directions of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly. (4) If a Wafer Great Seal of Northern Ireland has been applied to Letters Patent mentioned in subsection (1), the document has the same validity as if it had passed under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland.