Restoration of Order in Ireland Act 1920

Restoration of Order in Ireland Act 1920

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to make provision for the Restoration and Maintenance of Order in Ireland.
Citation	10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 31
Territorial extent	Ireland
Dates
Royal assent	9 August 1920
Repealed	18 December 1953
Other legislation
Repealed by	Statute Law Revision Act 1953
Relates to	Defence of the Realm Acts
Status: Repealed

The Restoration of Order in Ireland Act 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 31) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on 9 August 1920 to address the collapse of the British civilian administration in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence.

In effect a special extension of the Defence of the Realm Acts, the aim of the Act was to increase convictions of nationalist rebels while averting the need to declare martial law. Following a guillotine motion, royal assent was received on 9 August.^[1] Under Section 3(6) of the Act military authorities were empowered to jail any Irish person without charge or trial. Secret courts-martial were established and lawyers (appointed by Crown agents) could be present only if the death penalty was involved. Inquests of military or police actions were banned.^[2]