Legal background
Part 1 of the Act amends the Northern Ireland Act 1998 by inserting new Parts 7A, 7B and 7C and Schedules 9A, 9B and 9C to make provision in respect of the three new authorities and the duties conferred on public authorities. It repeals the Administration of Justice Act (Ireland) 1737 so as to remove the prohibition on languages other than English being used in Court proceedings in Northern Ireland. It also amends the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 to insert a legal duty on the Northern Ireland Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.
	Part 2 of the Act confers concurrent powers and powers of direction on the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is able to exercise the functions of NI Ministers or departments, or direct the exercise of functions by NI Ministers or departments or the three authorities created. Consistent with these provisions, Part 2 of the Act also confers on the Secretary of State the power to establish a body corporate or other organisation to be known as the Castlereagh Foundation, or to provide grants for this purpose to another person.