View source for Interpretation Act Northern Ireland 1954

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 is an act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland that provides rules for interpreting local legislation. It applies to both primary and secondary legislation following amendments introduced by the Statutory Rules Act (Northern Ireland) 1958. The act binds the Crown, meaning the Sovereign's actions are subject to its provisions. Even during periods of Direct Rule, the act remained applicable to Orders in Council for Northern Ireland.

The act specifies that any binding of the royal prerogative must be explicitly named and clarifies that references to the Crown refer only to the Sovereign. It outlines how legislation relating to the EU, the UK Parliament, and Stormont should be interpreted. The act also regulates judicial interpretation of laws and addresses offenses involving multiple statutory provisions.

Key provisions include treating "oath" and "affidavit" as inclusive of affirmations and declarations, with "swear" encompassing "affirm" or "declare." Legislation publication is managed by the Queen's Printer and the Presiding Officer. The act mandates ignoring gendered pronouns and treating words as either plural or singular unless specified.

Additionally, the act sets a statutory period for considering statutory rules. Its definitions are utilized in designating Areas of Special Scientific Interest.