
1 

(1) These Rules shall be cited as the Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) 2025 and shall come into operation on the date on which the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters concluded on 2nd July 2019 at The Hague enters into force in respect of the United Kingdom.
(2) In these Rules, a reference to an Order or rule means the Order or rule so numbered in the Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) 1980.
2 

(1) Where an application for registration of—
(a) a judgment given by a court of a Contracting State; or
(b) a court settlement approved by or concluded before a court of a Contracting State,was made under section 4B of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 before the date on which these Rules come into operation, Order 71 applies to proceedings relating to that application as if the changes made by the Rules had not been made.
(2) In paragraph (1), “Contracting State” means a State bound by the Convention on Choice of Court Agreements concluded on 30th June 2005 at The Hague.
3 
Order 71 of the Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) 1980 is amended in accordance with rule 4.
4 

(1) In rule 22(1)—
(a) for “at the Hague”, substitute “at The Hague”; and
(b) after the definition of the 2005 Hague Convention, insert ““the 2019 Hague Convention” means the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters concluded on 2nd July 2019 at The Hague.”.
(2) In rules 24, 25(1), 26 and 28, after “4B” insert “or 4C”.
(3) In rule 25—
(a) for head (1)(a)(v), substitute—“
(v) where the application is made under section 4B of the Act of 1982, the documents specified in paragraph 1A of this rule; and”
(b) after head 1(a)(v) insert—“
(vi) where the application is made under section 4C of the Act of 1982, the documents specified in paragraph 1B of this rule.”; and
(c) after paragraph (1), insert—“
1A. 
The documents referred to in rule 25(1)(a)(v) are—
(a) any documents necessary to establish that the judgment—
(i) meets the condition in Article 8(3) of the 2005 Hague Convention; and
(ii) otherwise meets the requirements for recognition or enforcement under the 2005 Hague Convention; and
(b) any other evidence required by Article 13 of the 2005 Hague Convention.
1B. 
The documents referred to in rule 25(1)(a)(vi) are—
(a) any documents necessary to establish that the judgment—
(i) meets the condition in Article 4(3) of the 2019 Hague Convention;
(ii) meets at least one condition in Article 5 or 6 of the 2019 Hague Convention; and
(iii) otherwise meets the requirements for recognition or enforcement under the 2019 Hague Convention; and
(b) any other evidence required by Article 12 of the 2019 Hague Convention.”.
(4) For rule 27(1), substitute—“
(1) An order giving leave to register a judgment under section 4B or 4C of the Act of 1982 shall state the period within which an application may be made to set aside the registration and shall contain a notification that no application to enforce the judgment shall be made until after the expiration of that period.”.
(5) In the title to rule 28, after “s.4B”, insert “or s.4C”.
(6) In rule 29(3),
(a) for sub-paragraph (c), substitute—“
(c) the right of the person against whom judgment was given to apply to have the registration set aside, and”; and
(b) for sub-paragraph (d), substitute—“
(d) the period within which an application to set aside the registration may be made.”.
(7) For rule 30, substitute—“
30. 

(1) An application under section 6B or 6C of the Act of 1982 to set aside the registration of a judgment shall be made by summons supported by affidavit.
(2) The application shall be made within the period specified in the order for registration.
(3) The court may extend that period at any time before the end of the period as originally fixed or as subsequently extended.
(4) The Court hearing the application may order any issue between the judgment creditor and the judgment debtor to be tried in any manner in which an issue in an action may be ordered to be tried.”.
(8) In rule 31—
(a) in paragraph (1), after “Convention” insert “or the 2019 Hague Convention”; and
(b) in paragraph (2), for “of the Act” substitute “or 4C of the Act of 1982”.
(9) For rule 32A, substitute—“
32A. 
This Part applies, subject to any necessary modifications, for the enforcement of court settlements which are subject to Article 12 of the 2005 Hague Convention or Article 11 of the 2019 Hague Convention.”.
(10) In rule 32(3), after “Form 63” insert “, or such other form as the judge or master considers appropriate,”.
Siobhan Keegan
S Treacy
Mark Horner
Adrian Colton
Donal Lunny
Caroline Prunty
13th January 2025In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 55A(3) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978, I allow these Rules.Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 20th January 2025
Naomi Long
Minister of Justice
