Menu
15/06/2006
New law to protect children announced
The government has today announced new legislation to align the law in Northern Ireland with the European Convention on Human Rights, following decisions by the European Court of Human Rights.
The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order will amend the law relating to the physical punishment of children in the home and also remove the legal restrictions on in-laws marrying.
The new Order was laid before Parliament on June 12 and, if passed, will come into operation in September.
When the new laws are in place, the defence of reasonable chastisement will only be available on the lowest charge of common assault and will not be available for offences such as wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
Similar restrictions on the defence of reasonable chastisement are in operation in England and Wales, following the implementation, in January 2005, of section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
Welcoming the Order, Minister of State, David Hanson said: “This Order is a vital step forward in child protection and will ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. I am confident that the new law on physical punishment will offer added protection to children, in keeping with similar arrangements in England and Wales.”
(EF/GB)
The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order will amend the law relating to the physical punishment of children in the home and also remove the legal restrictions on in-laws marrying.
The new Order was laid before Parliament on June 12 and, if passed, will come into operation in September.
When the new laws are in place, the defence of reasonable chastisement will only be available on the lowest charge of common assault and will not be available for offences such as wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
Similar restrictions on the defence of reasonable chastisement are in operation in England and Wales, following the implementation, in January 2005, of section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
Welcoming the Order, Minister of State, David Hanson said: “This Order is a vital step forward in child protection and will ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. I am confident that the new law on physical punishment will offer added protection to children, in keeping with similar arrangements in England and Wales.”
(EF/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 August 2018
Up To 125 New Jobs To Be Created By European Law Firm
Up to 125 new jobs are to be created in Northern Ireland at the new office of European law firm, Fieldfisher. Fieldfisher is the latest well-known law firm choosing Northern Ireland to grow its business. It is the current holder of Law Firm of the Year from The British Legal Awards and The Legal Business Awards.
Up To 125 New Jobs To Be Created By European Law Firm
Up to 125 new jobs are to be created in Northern Ireland at the new office of European law firm, Fieldfisher. Fieldfisher is the latest well-known law firm choosing Northern Ireland to grow its business. It is the current holder of Law Firm of the Year from The British Legal Awards and The Legal Business Awards.
21 April 2017
Stormont Deadline Moved To 29 June
Emergency legislation being presented to Westminster today, 21 April, will set a new deadline for the conclusion of Stormont talks. The new deadline for the establishment of a power-sharing executive will now be 29 June, following the conclusion of the just announced UK snap election.
Stormont Deadline Moved To 29 June
Emergency legislation being presented to Westminster today, 21 April, will set a new deadline for the conclusion of Stormont talks. The new deadline for the establishment of a power-sharing executive will now be 29 June, following the conclusion of the just announced UK snap election.
07 June 2018
Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Over Legality Of Abortion Law In NI
Human rights campaigners have lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of the abortion law in Northern Ireland. The appeal was brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). A majority of the judges declared NI's existing law "incompatible" with human rights laws.
Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Over Legality Of Abortion Law In NI
Human rights campaigners have lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of the abortion law in Northern Ireland. The appeal was brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). A majority of the judges declared NI's existing law "incompatible" with human rights laws.
13 February 2024
NI Fastest Growing UK Region For New Companies
Northern Ireland was the fastest-growing region of the UK for newly registered companies in 2023, according to a new index from Ulster Bank and Beauhurst. The New Startup Index highlights how in 2023 Northern Ireland gained 14,000 new companies, a 59% increase on 2022.
NI Fastest Growing UK Region For New Companies
Northern Ireland was the fastest-growing region of the UK for newly registered companies in 2023, according to a new index from Ulster Bank and Beauhurst. The New Startup Index highlights how in 2023 Northern Ireland gained 14,000 new companies, a 59% increase on 2022.
04 September 2003
'Unfit' company directors’ targeted by new law
A new law is set to be introduced in Northern Ireland tomorrow which will target the "unfitness" of company directors and their roles within business. The Company Directors’ Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 amends and consolidates the existing law relating to the disqualification of company directors.
'Unfit' company directors’ targeted by new law
A new law is set to be introduced in Northern Ireland tomorrow which will target the "unfitness" of company directors and their roles within business. The Company Directors’ Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 amends and consolidates the existing law relating to the disqualification of company directors.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most. It will turn mostly dry towards dawn, although a few patches of light rain or drizzle continuing, mainly in the southwest. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
