Legal background

9. The relevant legal background is set out in the policy background to these notes.

Territorial extent and application

10. Clause 4 sets out the territorial extent of the Bill, that is the jurisdictions in which the Bill forms part of the law. The extent of an Act can be different from its application. Application is about where the Act produces a practical effect. The Bill would extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it applies to Northern Ireland only.

See the table in Annex A for a summary of the position regarding territorial extent and application in the United Kingdom. The table also summarises the position regarding legislative consent motions.