Labour confirms Commons vote on Troubles laws for 20 January

Labour has set a Commons vote for 20 January on a remedial order to amend the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; the order would remove immunity provisions and lift the bar on Troubles-related civil claims after a Belfast High Court found parts of the Act incompatible with the ECHR.

Labour has confirmed a Commons vote later this month on a remedial order to amend the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. Ministers say the order will remove immunity from prosecution for certain Troubles-related matters and lift the bar on related civil claims. The move follows a Belfast High Court ruling that parts of the 2023 Act were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The previous government had been preparing to appeal that decision, but the appeal was not pursued after the 2024 general election. Key facts: - The High Court in Belfast ruled parts of the 2023 Act incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). - The Government will seek a remedial order to repeal immunity provisions and to lift the bar on Troubles-related civil claims. - The Commons vote on the remedial order is scheduled for 20 January. Summary: The Commons vote on 20 January will decide whether the remedial order is approved and the specified changes to the 2023 Act proceed. Undetermined at this time how Parliament will vote or what specific legal outcomes will follow.