Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023

Amendment of section 35 of Act of 1926

105. Section 35 of the Act of 1926 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (6):

“(7) A County Registrar shall cease to hold office if he or she is—

(a) convicted on indictment of an offence,

(b) convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, or

(c) sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(8) The Government may, in accordance with this section, remove a County Registrar from office if—

(a) in the opinion of the Government, he or she has become incapable, through ill-health or otherwise, of performing the functions of the office,

(b) in the opinion of the Government, he or she has failed without reasonable cause to perform the functions of the office for a continuous period of at least 3 months, or

(c) he or she has engaged in serious misconduct.

(9) Where the Government propose to remove a County Registrar from office under subsection (8), they shall give notice in writing to the County Registrar concerned of the proposal.

(10) A notice under subsection (9) shall include a statement—

(a) of the reasons for the proposed removal,

(b) that the County Registrar may, within a period of 30 working days from the date of the giving of the notice, or such longer period as the Government may, having regard to the requirements of natural justice, specify in the notice, make representations to the Government in such form and manner as may be specified by the Government, and

(c) that after the period referred to in paragraph (b) or the period specified in the notice, as the case may be, the Government shall decide whether to remove the County Registrar from office.

(11) In considering whether to remove a County Registrar from office under subsection (8), the Government shall take into account—

(a) any representations made by the County Registrar concerned under subsection (10)(b) within the period referred to in that paragraph or the period specified in the notice, as the case may be, and

(b) any other matter the Government consider relevant for the purpose of their decision.

(12) Where, after giving notice under subsection (9), the Government decide not to remove the County Registrar from office, the Government shall notify him or her in writing of the decision.

(13) Where, after giving notice under subsection (9), the Government decide to remove a County Registrar from office, the Government shall notify the County Registrar in writing of the decision, the reasons for it and the date from which it shall take effect (which shall be a date not earlier than the date of the notification under this subsection).”.