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EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981 [S.R. 1981 No. 225] (“the principal Rules”) to:

• make provision for the court to allow a witness to give evidence by video link or by any other means of direct communication;

• make provision for enhancement of costs in an action brought under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 or the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006;

• uplift by 4.08% (rounded where appropriate) certain costs in the body of the principal Rules and the scale costs for solicitor and counsel prescribed in Appendix 2 of the principal Rules; and

• amend Order 33, rule 3 (Recovery of value added tax) to apply that rule to a decree in equity proceedings.