British-Irish Agreement Act 1999
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- Mining Remediation Authority, National Highways, Natural England
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 3 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides across 2 topics
What you must do
3 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Management duties 1
Ensure litigation funding agreements meet required legal conditions
If you use a third‑party to fund a court case, the funding contract must be with a funder approved or prescribed by the Lord Chancellor, be in writing and follow any rules the Lord Chancellor sets – including limits on the percentage of costs you can be charged. You also need to give the funded party any prescribed information before the contract is signed.
Other requirements 1
Use only compliant conditional fee agreements
If you want a “no‑win, no‑fee” deal with a lawyer, the agreement must be written, must not be for criminal or family cases, and must follow any rules set by the Lord Chancellor. If the deal includes a success‑fee, it has to state the exact percentage and must not exceed the maximum allowed for that type of case.
Offences and prohibitions 1
Disclose warrant information unlawfully
Unlimited fineIf your business (or any individual) receives personal details from a public authority to help enforce a magistrates’ court warrant, you must only share or use that information as allowed. Sharing it with unauthorised people or using it for any other purpose is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine, either in the Magistrates’ Court or on indictment.
Penalties for non-compliance
1 penalty under this legislation. 1 carry an unlimited fine.
Disclose warrant information unlawfully
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Cross-border business between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
How the Common Travel Area, cross-border employment rules, and shared institutions affect businesses operating across the Northern Ireland and Republic …
Business support and grants in Northern Ireland
Key business support organisations and grant programmes available to businesses in Northern Ireland. Covers Invest NI, Go For It, Enterprise …
Sections and provisions
128 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 2
Offences and penalties 3
Powers 7
- s.2 Power to replace Commission with two bodies.
- s.46 Bar practising certificates.
- s.57 Assignment of appeals to Court of Appeal.
- s.68 Judges holding office in European or international courts.
- s.73 Power to allow children to attend criminal proceedings.
- s.85 Power to direct implementation of inspectors’ recommendations.
- s.92 Civilian enforcement officers.
Exemptions 10
- Schedule 14 Transitional provisions and savings
- s.32 Regulations about financial limits in certain proceedings.
- s.39 Rights of audience: change of authorised body.
- s.44 Barristers employed by solicitors etc.
- s.53 Abolition of scriveners’ monopoly.
- s.54 Permission to appeal.
- s.55 Second appeals.
- s.56 Power to prescribe alternative destination of appeals.
- s.71 Adjournment of inquest in event of judicial inquiry.
- s.98 Justices and clerks: immunity from costs.