The Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009
These Rules amend the Magistrates’ Courts Rules (Northern Ireland) 1984 (“the principal Rules”) so as to allow for the service of summonses and accompanying documentation, served by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, to be proved by means of electronic report. These Rules also take account of the amendments made to Article 24 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 by the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (“the 2003 Order”). The 2003 Order amended Article 24 to allow for a full statement of evidence to be given in evidence at a hearing where the defendant pleads guilty by post.