Interpretation Act 2015

Summary

The requester asked for an explanation regarding the delay in commencing the Interpretation Act 2015 and its anticipated effective date. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the delay was due to necessary amendments regarding Church of England legislation and unincorporated bodies, with commencement expected on 1 January 2018.

Key Facts

• The Interpretation Act 2015 was passed by Tynwald in 2015 but had not commenced by November 2017.
• The delay occurred because the original Act did not properly address obscure aspects of Manx legislation associated with the Church of England.
• The original Act also failed to deal properly with unincorporated bodies such as the Legal Aid Committee.
• The Statute Law Revision Act 2017 amended the Interpretation Act on 1 November 2017 to resolve these issues.
• The Act is envisaged to commence on 1 January 2018 once provisions for fees and delegations are finalized.

Data Disclosed

• 2015
• 9 November 2017
• 1 November 2017
• 1 January 2018
• 1976
• IM109856I
• IM1 3PN
• 01624 686244
• 01624 685710

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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REFERENCE NUMBER: IM109856I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your application dated 9 November 2017 for the following information: “In 2015 Tynwald passed The Interpretation Act 2015. The Act commences from such day as the Council of Ministers prescribe. No such date has been published as nearly two and a half years later. This request is to the Cabinet Office to explain the reasons for the delay and when it is anticipated the Act will be effective.” Response to your request
The Interpretation Act 2015 has not been commenced until now because it did not take into account some more obscure aspects of Manx legislation associated with the Church of England, and as originally enacted did not deal properly with unincorporated bodies, such as the Legal Aid Committee. The Statute Law Revision Act 2017 made a number of changes to deal with these issues and the Interpretation Act was amended accordingly on 1 November 2017.
Once provisions for fees, delegations of function, deputies and acting appointments (for which the Interpretation Act 2015 makes subtly different provision from that in the 1976 Act) have been finalised it is envisaged that the Interpretation Act will commence on 1 January 2018.. Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to the FOI Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN. An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/foireview. If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange for this.
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Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
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1) Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
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More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found at: www.gov.im/foi.