Notice is hereby given that the Department of Justice has made the above named Statutory Rule under section 90(2) of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and will require to be approved by a resolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly before the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the order was made if it is to remain in effect until the 24 September 2022. The calculation of 40 days is subject to the provision made in section 96(8) of that Act.

The purpose of this Order is to extend the provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7) (the “2020 Act”) which allow a coroner to hold an inquest into a death in prison caused by natural illness without a jury and which provide for courts and statutory tribunals in Northern Ireland to receive evidence, wholly or in part, through the use of audio or video live links.

Copies of the Rule may be purchased from the Stationery Office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 522 or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.