Territorial extent and application
Section 9 sets out the territorial extent of the Act, that is the jurisdictions in which the Act forms part of the law. The extent of an Act can be different from its application. Application is about where the Act produces a practical effect. The Act would extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In terms of application, sections 1 to 5 would apply to Northern Ireland only. Sections 6 to 11 would apply to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	This Act affects matters within the devolved (transferred) competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Sewel Convention sets out that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate in an area of devolved competence without the agreement of the devolved legislatures. In the absence of the Executive and a sitting Assembly, it is not possible for the Assembly to provide a Legislative Consent Motion. The Government is satisfied that the circumstances of this Act come within the exception allowed by the convention.
	See the table in Annex A for a summary of the position regarding territorial extent and application in the United Kingdom.