Statute Law Revision Act 2025

In short

This law revises existing statute law by revoking many old legal instruments made before 1861 and identifies those that remain in force, assigning them new citations for easier reference. It also sets out how evidence of certain historical instruments can be provided in legal proceedings.

What it regulates

• The revocation of legal instruments made before 1 January 1861.
• The identification of specific instruments that are not revoked and remain in force.
• The assignment of new citations to certain retained instruments.
• The method for providing prima facie evidence of instruments made before 1 January 1861 in courts.

Who it concerns

• Anyone dealing with historical legal instruments, particularly those made before 1 January 1861.
• Courts and legal professionals who need to establish evidence of old legal instruments.

Key points

• Most legal instruments made before 1 January 1861 are revoked, with specific exceptions listed in Schedule 1.
• Instruments made between 1 January 1821 and 1 January 1861 that were in force in the State immediately before this Act are revoked.
• The Act does not affect existing principles of law, equity, or established legal procedures, even if they were derived from revoked instruments.
• Prima facie evidence of instruments made before 1 January 1861 can be given by producing copies from specific publications (Dublin Gazette, London Gazette, "A Bibliography of Proclamations 1485-1910", Volume IV) or certified copies from a specified institution like the National Library of Ireland.