The Lord Chancellor and Northern Ireland courts

In the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c. 23) after section 68 insert— Lord Chancellor's duty 68A 1 The Lord Chancellor is under a duty to ensure that there is an efficient and effective system to support the carrying on of the business of— a the Supreme Court, b county courts, c magistrates' courts, and d coroners' courts, and that appropriate services are provided for those courts. 2 The Lord Chancellor must, within 18 months of the coming into force of this section, and afterwards annually, prepare and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report as to the way in which he has discharged his duty under subsection (1).