Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6 Court proceedings (civil and criminal)
780.Courts below the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland can refer devolution issues to that Court (paragraph 25). Appeals against the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland’s decisions on such references lie to the Supreme Court, subject to permission to appeal having been granted either by that Court or by the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland (paragraph 28).
781.Paragraph 27 provides that where a devolution issue has arisen in proceedings before the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland other than on a reference under this Part, that Court can refer the issue to the Supreme Court of its own volition.