Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737

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The Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 was passed by the Parliament of Ireland in 1737. The statute was primarily directed at the perceived problem caused by the widespread use of Law French and Latin in courts but has had the effect of excluding autochthonous languages, given that it excludes the use of "any other tongue or language whatsoever".[1]

The Act is controversial among Irish language advocates, due to the fact that in Northern Ireland, a court proceeding cannot be carried out in the Irish language. The Act forbids the use of any language but English in court proceedings and must be followed by all courts in the jurisdiction.[2][3] The equivalents of this Act passed for England in 1731 and for Wales in 1733 were repealed for both countries in 1863. Northern Ireland is thus the only jurisdiction in the United Kingdom that currently retains this legislation.

The New Decade, New Approach agreement, which restored the devolved government in Northern Ireland on January 9, 2020, provided for legislation to amend the Northern Ireland Act 1998 that, among other changes, will repeal the 1737 act.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Courts and Tribunals". Northern Ireland Department of Justice. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Court of Appeal upholds Administration of Justice (Language) Act of 1737". Slugger O'Toole. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  4. ^ "Amendment of Northern Ireland Act 1998 to make provision about the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and related provision (DRAFT SUBJECT TO ASSEMBLY APPROVAL)" (PDF). gov.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 November 2021.

External links

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