Criminal Justice Act (with its many variations) is a stock short title used for legislation in Canada, Malaysia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom relating to criminal law (including both substantive and procedural aspects of that law). It tends to be used for Acts that do not have a single cohesive subject matter.
The Bill for an Act with this short title will be known as the Criminal Justice Bill during its passage through Parliament.
Criminal Justice Act may be a generic name either for legislation bearing that short title or for all legislation relating to criminal law. It is not a term of art.
See also the Criminal Law Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Criminal Justice Order
Several Orders in Council with this title have been passed. The change in nomenclature is due to the demise of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and the imposition of direct rule. These orders are considered to be primary legislation.