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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 – 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 – 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 – Not Guilty
Not guilty has two principal meanings in criminal law.
First, it is the plea entered by an accused person denying the criminal charges brought against them.
A defendant may plead guilty to some charges while pleading not guilty to others.
Second, “not guilty” is the verdict delivered when a court or jury determines that the prosecution has failed to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
A verdict of not guilty results in an acquittal of the accused person.
Not guilty has two principal meanings in criminal law.
First, it is the plea entered by an accused person denying the criminal charges brought against them.
A defendant may plead guilty to some charges while pleading not guilty to others.
Second, “not guilty” is the verdict delivered when a court or jury determines that the prosecution has failed to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
A verdict of not guilty results in an acquittal of the accused person.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notice
The term notice has several important legal meanings.
First, it refers to knowledge of a fact. A person has *actual notice when they truly know something, *constructive notice when they ought reasonably to know it, and *imputed notice when their agent possesses such knowledge.
Second, in employment law, notice refers to formal notification that a contract of employment will end after a specified period. Statutory minimum notice periods protect employees who have completed a qualifying period of continuous employment.
Third, in land law, a notice is an entry made against registered land to protect a person’s legal interest or right in that land. Such notices preserve the priority of the interest against future purchasers.
Finally, in European Union law, a notice may refer to a non-binding document issued by the European Commission explaining policies or regulations, especially in competition law.
The term notice has several important legal meanings.
First, it refers to knowledge of a fact. A person has *actual notice when they truly know something, *constructive notice when they ought reasonably to know it, and *imputed notice when their agent possesses such knowledge.
Second, in employment law, notice refers to formal notification that a contract of employment will end after a specified period. Statutory minimum notice periods protect employees who have completed a qualifying period of continuous employment.
Third, in land law, a notice is an entry made against registered land to protect a person’s legal interest or right in that land. Such notices preserve the priority of the interest against future purchasers.
Finally, in European Union law, a notice may refer to a non-binding document issued by the European Commission explaining policies or regulations, especially in competition law.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notice of Abandonment
A notice of abandonment is a formal declaration made by an insured person in marine insurance.
It is given to the insurer when the insured treats damaged or lost property as a constructive total loss.
By giving the notice, the insured effectively abandons rights over the property to the insurer and claims compensation as though the loss were total.
The concept is closely connected with the law relating to constructive total loss in marine insurance.
A notice of abandonment is a formal declaration made by an insured person in marine insurance.
It is given to the insurer when the insured treats damaged or lost property as a constructive total loss.
By giving the notice, the insured effectively abandons rights over the property to the insurer and claims compensation as though the loss were total.
The concept is closely connected with the law relating to constructive total loss in marine insurance.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notice of Transfer
A notice of transfer is a criminal procedure used mainly in cases involving serious or complex fraud, and in some proceedings involving child witnesses.
It allows the prosecution to send a case directly to the Crown Court without first obtaining judicial approval or going through committal proceedings before magistrates.
This procedure is intended to speed up the handling of particularly serious or sensitive criminal cases.
The process is recognized within the Criminal Procedure Rules.
A notice of transfer is a criminal procedure used mainly in cases involving serious or complex fraud, and in some proceedings involving child witnesses.
It allows the prosecution to send a case directly to the Crown Court without first obtaining judicial approval or going through committal proceedings before magistrates.
This procedure is intended to speed up the handling of particularly serious or sensitive criminal cases.
The process is recognized within the Criminal Procedure Rules.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notice to Treat
A notice to treat is a notice issued under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 by an authority seeking to acquire land compulsorily.
The notice is served on persons with an interest in the land or with the power to sell or transfer it.
It must contain details of the land concerned, request information about the recipient’s interest in the property, and state that the authority is prepared to negotiate both the purchase and compensation payable.
The procedure forms part of the compulsory purchase process.
A notice to treat is a notice issued under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 by an authority seeking to acquire land compulsorily.
The notice is served on persons with an interest in the land or with the power to sell or transfer it.
It must contain details of the land concerned, request information about the recipient’s interest in the property, and state that the authority is prepared to negotiate both the purchase and compensation payable.
The procedure forms part of the compulsory purchase process.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Notice to Quit
A notice to quit is a formal notice given by either a landlord or a tenant to terminate a tenancy on a specified date.
The notice must be clear, unambiguous, and generally must relate to the whole property rather than only part of it, unless the tenancy agreement specifically allows otherwise.
For residential tenancies, statutory forms are often required so that tenants are informed of their legal rights.
The required period of notice depends on the type of tenancy and any agreement between the parties. For example, yearly tenancies usually require six months’ notice, monthly tenancies require one month’s notice, and weekly tenancies require one week’s notice.
The notice must expire at the end of a tenancy period. In some protected tenancies, such as agricultural or business tenancies, the tenant may still remain in occupation after the notice expires because statutory protections apply.
If the landlord continues to treat the tenancy as ongoing after expiry of the notice, a new tenancy may arise.
A notice to quit is a formal notice given by either a landlord or a tenant to terminate a tenancy on a specified date.
The notice must be clear, unambiguous, and generally must relate to the whole property rather than only part of it, unless the tenancy agreement specifically allows otherwise.
For residential tenancies, statutory forms are often required so that tenants are informed of their legal rights.
The required period of notice depends on the type of tenancy and any agreement between the parties. For example, yearly tenancies usually require six months’ notice, monthly tenancies require one month’s notice, and weekly tenancies require one week’s notice.
The notice must expire at the end of a tenancy period. In some protected tenancies, such as agricultural or business tenancies, the tenant may still remain in occupation after the notice expires because statutory protections apply.
If the landlord continues to treat the tenancy as ongoing after expiry of the notice, a new tenancy may arise.
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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.