The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Regulations extend the deadline for completing criminal investigations under the transitional provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 from April 2026 to October 2026.
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, amend the earlier 2024 Commencement Regulations concerning the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, specifically extending the deadline for investigating bodies to prepare or complete their criminal investigation reports under the transitional provisions from April 30th, 2026, to October 31st, 2026.
Arguments For
Providing additional time for investigating bodies to complete complex casework related to the Northern Ireland Troubles, acknowledging unforeseen delays in historical investigations.
Ensuring that transitional provisions under the Act remain operational for a longer period, potentially allowing more cases to be handled under existing procedural frameworks before new mechanisms fully take effect.
Acknowledging the administrative and logistical challenges associated with finalizing conflict-related criminal investigations, thereby increasing the probability of thorough report preparation.
Arguments Against
Undermining the principle of timely resolution for legacy issues related to the Northern Ireland Troubles, potentially leading to further frustration for victims and bereaved families.
Creating administrative uncertainty by repeatedly amending commencement and transitional deadlines, suggesting poor initial planning or underestimation of the required review period.
Extending the lifespan of transitional powers may delay the full implementation or application of the new investigative or reconciliation mechanisms established by the primary Act.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 483
NORTHERN IRELAND
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Made
27th April 2026
Coming into force
30th April 2026
This section identifies the statutory instrument as a piece of secondary legislation for 2026, numbered 483, pertaining to Northern Ireland.
It formally names the instrument, which amends the commencement and transitional rules for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
The Regulations were formally made on April 27th, 2026, and were scheduled to officially come into force on April 30th, 2026.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the power conferred by section 63(5) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023( a ).
The Secretary of State enacted these legal rules by utilizing the specific authority granted under Section 63(5) of the primary legislation, the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Citation and commencement
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
- (2) These Regulations come into force on 30th April 2026.
The first regulation formally establishes the official short title for this set of rules.
This title reflects that they are amending the second commencement order concerning transitional provisions related to the 2023 Act.
This regulation also confirms the commencement date, stating that the amending rules formally take legal effect on April 30th, 2026.
Amendment of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024
- In regulation 3(2) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024( b ) (transitional provision in relation to criminal investigations), for '30th April 2026' substitute '31st October 2026'.
This key regulation updates the existing 2024 Regulations, which manage the commencement and transitional rules for the main Act.
Specifically, it changes the date mentioned in regulation 3(2) of the 2024 Regulations, which governs transitional arrangements for criminal investigations; the previous cut-off date of April 30th, 2026, is officially replaced with a new deadline of October 31st, 2026.
27th April 2026
Hilary Benn Secretary of State Northern Ireland Office
This indicates the date the instrument was signed and who executed the order.
Hilary Benn, acting as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, formally made these Regulations on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/584 (C. 36)) ('the 2024 Regulations'). The 2024 Regulations were the second set of commencement regulations made under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41).
The explanatory note clarifies that it is informational only and does not form part of the binding legal text of the Regulations.
Its purpose is to state that these rules modify the second set of commencement regulations (the 2024 Regulations) that were previously issued under the authority of the primary 2023 Act.
Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends regulation 3(2) of the 2024 Regulations to extend the period in which an investigating body may prepare or complete an investigation report or do anything subsequent to that. The period was initially set to end on 30th April 2025. It was extended to end on 31st October 2025 by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/530). It was extended again to end on 30th April 2026 by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1140). Regulation 2 of these Regulations extends it again to end on 31st October 2026.
The note details that the extension granted by Regulation 2 allows investigating bodies more time to finalize their reports relating to criminal investigations under the transitional rules.
It traces the history of this deadline: initially set for April 2025, it was first extended to October 2025, then further extended to April 2026 by earlier amending regulations.
These current 2026 Regulations enact a final extension to October 31st, 2026.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen. An impact assessment has been published in relation to the Act and a copy can be obtained at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62828d60d3bf7f1f40ca508e/EQIA_NI_Troubles__Legacy_and_Reconciliation__Bill.pdf or from the Northern Ireland Office, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.
The issuing authority states that a new impact assessment was unnecessary for this amendment because the change is minor and is not expected to have any significant effect on the private, voluntary, or public sectors.
However, it notes that a full impact assessment related to the main Act itself is available for review online or by contacting the Northern Ireland Office using the provided historical link and address.
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