Great Seal of Northern Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Great Seal of Northern Ireland is the seal
used for Northern Ireland
. The great seal is currently under the possession of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
. The Great Seal was created by the Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922
on the creation of Northern Ireland for possession by the Governor of Northern Ireland
to "be used for all matters in Northern Ireland for which the Great Seal of Ireland was theretofore used"
This remained until the imposition of direct rule
when it was presented to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Royal Assent to Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly are signified by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland.
makes similar provision for the creation of a Wafer Great Seal of Northern Ireland, which is valid for use on Letter Patent signifying Royal Assent to Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Great Seal
- Countries :* Great Seal of Canada** Great Seal of Ontario* Great Seal of France* Seal of the President of Ireland* Great Seal of the Realm ** Great Seal of Northern Ireland** Great Seal of Scotland**Welsh Seal* Great Seal of the State...
used for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The great seal is currently under the possession of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, informally the Northern Ireland Secretary, is the principal secretary of state in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State is a Minister of the Crown who is accountable to the Parliament of...
. The Great Seal was created by the Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922
Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922
The Irish Free State Act 1922 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on 5 December 1922...
on the creation of Northern Ireland for possession by the Governor of Northern Ireland
Governor of Northern Ireland
The Governor of Northern Ireland was the principal officer and representative in Northern Ireland of the British monarch. The office was established on 9 December 1922 and abolished on 18 July 1973.-Overview:...
to "be used for all matters in Northern Ireland for which the Great Seal of Ireland was theretofore used"
This remained until the imposition of direct rule
Direct Rule
Direct rule was the term given, during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, to the administration of Northern Ireland directly from Westminster, seat of United Kingdom government...
when it was presented to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Uses
Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland, Lords Justice of Appeal and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland are appointed by Her Majesty by letters patent under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland.Royal Assent to Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly are signified by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland.
Wafer Seals
The Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1945 authorised the preparation and use of a die bearing the same device as the obverse of the seal, and the impression embossed by means of the die on, or on a wafer or other material attached to, a document confers on the document the same validity in all respects as if it had been authenticated by, or passed under, the Great Seal itself. Section 49 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998Northern Ireland Act 1998
The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which established a devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Assembly, after decades of direct rule from Westminster....
makes similar provision for the creation of a Wafer Great Seal of Northern Ireland, which is valid for use on Letter Patent signifying Royal Assent to Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly.