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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notary (Notary Public)
A notary, or notary public, is a legal practitioner authorized to certify, witness, and authenticate legal documents.
Notaries commonly attest deeds, certify copies of documents, and note or protest dishonoured bills of exchange.
Many notaries are also solicitors, although notarial practice is a distinct legal function.
Different categories include ecclesiastical notaries, general notaries, and district notaries.
British diplomatic and consular officials abroad may also perform certain notarial functions outside the United Kingdom.
A notary, or notary public, is a legal practitioner authorized to certify, witness, and authenticate legal documents.
Notaries commonly attest deeds, certify copies of documents, and note or protest dishonoured bills of exchange.
Many notaries are also solicitors, although notarial practice is a distinct legal function.
Different categories include ecclesiastical notaries, general notaries, and district notaries.
British diplomatic and consular officials abroad may also perform certain notarial functions outside the United Kingdom.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Northern Ireland Protocol
The Northern Ireland Protocol, formally known as the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, was created following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Its purpose was to prevent the creation of a “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
Because the Republic of Ireland remained part of the EU Single Market and Customs Union while the UK left both systems, customs and regulatory checks would normally have been required along the Irish border.
To avoid this, the Protocol kept Northern Ireland effectively aligned with parts of the EU Single Market system.
As a result, customs and regulatory checks occur mainly on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland rather than between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The arrangement followed earlier proposals such as the “Irish Backstop,” which had proved politically controversial.
The Protocol forms part of the revised Withdrawal Agreement negotiated under Prime Minister Boris Johnson and came into force at the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020.
The Agreement also provides for a future consent mechanism allowing Northern Ireland to decide whether the Protocol’s arrangements should continue.
The Northern Ireland Protocol, formally known as the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, was created following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Its purpose was to prevent the creation of a “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
Because the Republic of Ireland remained part of the EU Single Market and Customs Union while the UK left both systems, customs and regulatory checks would normally have been required along the Irish border.
To avoid this, the Protocol kept Northern Ireland effectively aligned with parts of the EU Single Market system.
As a result, customs and regulatory checks occur mainly on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland rather than between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The arrangement followed earlier proposals such as the “Irish Backstop,” which had proved politically controversial.
The Protocol forms part of the revised Withdrawal Agreement negotiated under Prime Minister Boris Johnson and came into force at the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020.
The Agreement also provides for a future consent mechanism allowing Northern Ireland to decide whether the Protocol’s arrangements should continue.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – No Order Principle
The no order principle is another name for the non-intervention principle under the Children Act 1989.
It provides that a court should only make an order concerning a child if making the order would improve the child’s welfare.
The principle discourages unnecessary legal intervention in family matters.
Courts therefore consider whether leaving matters without a formal order may better serve the interests of the child.
The no order principle is another name for the non-intervention principle under the Children Act 1989.
It provides that a court should only make an order concerning a child if making the order would improve the child’s welfare.
The principle discourages unnecessary legal intervention in family matters.
Courts therefore consider whether leaving matters without a formal order may better serve the interests of the child.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is a devolved legislative body established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
It consists of 90 elected members and has authority to make laws in areas transferred from the UK Parliament, including health, education, agriculture, the environment, economic development, and social security.
Powers relating to policing and justice were transferred to the Assembly in 2010.
The Assembly operates through a power-sharing Executive Committee made up of ministers from different political groups.
Although it was suspended between 2002 and 2007 and again inactive from 2017 to 2020, it remains a central institution of devolution in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is a devolved legislative body established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
It consists of 90 elected members and has authority to make laws in areas transferred from the UK Parliament, including health, education, agriculture, the environment, economic development, and social security.
Powers relating to policing and justice were transferred to the Assembly in 2010.
The Assembly operates through a power-sharing Executive Committee made up of ministers from different political groups.
Although it was suspended between 2002 and 2007 and again inactive from 2017 to 2020, it remains a central institution of devolution in Northern Ireland.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Non-Intervention Principle (No Order Principle)
The non-intervention principle, also known as the no order principle, is a rule introduced by section 1 of the Children Act 1989.
It provides that when a court is considering whether to make an order concerning a child, the court should only do so if making the order would positively improve or promote the child’s welfare.
The principle reflects the idea that unnecessary legal intervention in family life should be avoided.
Courts therefore begin from the position that making no order may sometimes be better for the child than imposing formal legal arrangements.
This principle works together with the welfare principle, under which the child’s welfare remains the court’s paramount consideration.
The non-intervention principle, also known as the no order principle, is a rule introduced by section 1 of the Children Act 1989.
It provides that when a court is considering whether to make an order concerning a child, the court should only do so if making the order would positively improve or promote the child’s welfare.
The principle reflects the idea that unnecessary legal intervention in family life should be avoided.
Courts therefore begin from the position that making no order may sometimes be better for the child than imposing formal legal arrangements.
This principle works together with the welfare principle, under which the child’s welfare remains the court’s paramount consideration.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Non-Insane Automatism
Non-insane automatism refers to involuntary conduct caused by an external factor where the defendant is not suffering from legal insanity.
A person acting in such a state lacks conscious control over their actions and therefore may not be criminally liable because the conduct was not voluntary.
Examples include actions performed while suffering from concussion, reflex movements, hypnotic states, spasms, or certain medical conditions such as a diabetic hypoglycaemic episode.
The defence is only available where the automatism was not self-induced and where the defendant did not knowingly fail to take reasonable steps to prevent the condition.
If established successfully, non-insane automatism results in a complete acquittal because the essential voluntary element of the offence is absent.
Non-insane automatism refers to involuntary conduct caused by an external factor where the defendant is not suffering from legal insanity.
A person acting in such a state lacks conscious control over their actions and therefore may not be criminally liable because the conduct was not voluntary.
Examples include actions performed while suffering from concussion, reflex movements, hypnotic states, spasms, or certain medical conditions such as a diabetic hypoglycaemic episode.
The defence is only available where the automatism was not self-induced and where the defendant did not knowingly fail to take reasonable steps to prevent the condition.
If established successfully, non-insane automatism results in a complete acquittal because the essential voluntary element of the offence is absent.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a private international or national organization that operates independently from government control.
NGOs often promote cooperation and activities in areas such as humanitarian work, social welfare, education, culture, environmental protection, economic development, and technical assistance.
At the international level, NGOs may work alongside organizations such as the United Nations.
Under Article 71 of the United Nations Charter, the Economic and Social Council may consult with NGOs on matters within its competence.
NGOs therefore play an important role in civil society by influencing policy, providing services, and promoting international cooperation.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a private international or national organization that operates independently from government control.
NGOs often promote cooperation and activities in areas such as humanitarian work, social welfare, education, culture, environmental protection, economic development, and technical assistance.
At the international level, NGOs may work alongside organizations such as the United Nations.
Under Article 71 of the United Nations Charter, the Economic and Social Council may consult with NGOs on matters within its competence.
NGOs therefore play an important role in civil society by influencing policy, providing services, and promoting international cooperation.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Nonfeasance
Nonfeasance means a failure to perform an act or duty that the law requires to be carried out.
Historically, public authorities such as highway authorities were not liable for injuries caused by failing to repair or maintain roads, although they could be liable for misfeasance, which involved improper performance of a duty.
This defence of nonfeasance was later abolished by statute in relation to highway authorities.
Today, such authorities may instead rely on a statutory defence by showing that they took all reasonable care to ensure that the highway was not dangerous.
The concept therefore distinguishes complete failure to act from improper or negligent performance of an act.
Nonfeasance means a failure to perform an act or duty that the law requires to be carried out.
Historically, public authorities such as highway authorities were not liable for injuries caused by failing to repair or maintain roads, although they could be liable for misfeasance, which involved improper performance of a duty.
This defence of nonfeasance was later abolished by statute in relation to highway authorities.
Today, such authorities may instead rely on a statutory defence by showing that they took all reasonable care to ensure that the highway was not dangerous.
The concept therefore distinguishes complete failure to act from improper or negligent performance of an act.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Non-Molestation Order
A non-molestation order is a protective court order made under section 42 of the Family Law Act 1996.
The order prevents a person from molesting or harassing another person with whom they are associated, such as a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, relative, or former intimate partner.
Molestation is interpreted broadly and includes not only physical violence but also threatening behaviour, intimidation, harassment, or repeated unwanted contact.
The order may also be made for the protection of a child connected to the parties.
When deciding whether to grant the order, the court considers the need to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of the applicant and any relevant child, and breach of the order is a criminal offence.
A non-molestation order is a protective court order made under section 42 of the Family Law Act 1996.
The order prevents a person from molesting or harassing another person with whom they are associated, such as a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, relative, or former intimate partner.
Molestation is interpreted broadly and includes not only physical violence but also threatening behaviour, intimidation, harassment, or repeated unwanted contact.
The order may also be made for the protection of a child connected to the parties.
When deciding whether to grant the order, the court considers the need to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of the applicant and any relevant child, and breach of the order is a criminal offence.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Non-Tariff Barriers
Non-tariff barriers are restrictions on international trade that do not involve customs duties or tariffs.
Instead of taxes on imports, these barriers take the form of special requirements or controls such as licences, quotas, technical regulations, or administrative restrictions.
Such measures can make it more difficult or expensive for foreign goods or services to enter a market.
Although sometimes justified for safety, environmental, or public policy reasons, non-tariff barriers may also operate as hidden forms of trade protection.
Non-tariff barriers are restrictions on international trade that do not involve customs duties or tariffs.
Instead of taxes on imports, these barriers take the form of special requirements or controls such as licences, quotas, technical regulations, or administrative restrictions.
Such measures can make it more difficult or expensive for foreign goods or services to enter a market.
Although sometimes justified for safety, environmental, or public policy reasons, non-tariff barriers may also operate as hidden forms of trade protection.