Commentary on Sections Schedule 29 – Minor and consequential amendments: Northern Ireland Paragraph 16 – Civil Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 (c. 36 (N.I.))
1086.Section 10 of the Civil Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 provides that a person has a right to refuse to answer incriminating questions in legal proceedings if those questions would tend to expose that person or his/her spouse to proceedings for a criminal offence. Paragraph 16 amends section 10 of the 1971 Order to ensure that the privilege against incrimination of a spouse is extended to civil partners.