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New perjury law comes into effect

Legislation aimed at making it easier for perjury and related offences to be prosecuted in the courts has come into effect.

Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys today (28 July) signed the commencement order for the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Act 2021.

The legislation, which passed all stages of the Oireachtas in June, provides a clearer, statutory definition of perjury.

Deterrent

The Government expects the law to help bring down insurance costs. James Browne (Minister of State at the Department of Justice, pictured) said that the legislation would have a “significant deterrent effect” on those considering making false or fraudulent claims.

The new legislation establishes a statutory criminal offence for perjury. It provides for statutory perjury-related offences – including false statements on oath, false statutory declarations, and false declarations.

It includes penalties of up to 12 months for conviction on a summary offence, and up to ten years for conviction on indictment.