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1 Section 26 (Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire) is amended as follows. 2 In subsection (2)— a in paragraph (a) after “Lord Chancellor” insert “ or the Lord Chief Justice ” ; b in paragraph (b)— i after “Lord Chancellor” in the first place insert “ or the Lord Chief Justice ” ; ii for “the Lord Chancellor” in the second place substitute “ that person, or those persons, ” . 3 In subsection (3)— a in paragraph (a) after “Lord Chancellor” insert “ or the Lord Chief Justice ” ; b in paragraph (b)— i after “Lord Chancellor” in the first place insert “ or the Lord Chief Justice ” ; ii for “the Lord Chancellor” in the second place substitute “ that person, or those persons, ” . 4 After subsection (3) insert— 4 The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.