Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980
On an information being laid before a justice of the peace that a person has, or is suspected of having, committed an offence, the justice may issue—
a summons directed to that person requiring him to appear before a magistrates' court to answer the information, or
a warrant to arrest that person and bring him before a magistrates' court.
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if the offence was committed or is suspected to have been committed within the area, or
if it appears to the justice necessary or expedient, with a view to the better administration of justice, that the person charged should be tried, jointly with, or in the same place as, some other person who is charged with an offence, and who is in custody, or is being or is to be proceeded against, within the area, or
if the person charged resides or is, or is believed to reside or be, within the area, or
if under any enactment a magistrates' court for the area has jurisdiction to try the offence, or
if the offence was committed outside England and Wales and, where it is an offence exclusively punishable on summary conviction, if a magistrates' court for the area would have jurisdiction to try the offence if the offender were before it.
No warrant shall be issued under this section unless the information is in writing . . . .
No warrant shall be issued under this section for the arrest of any person who has attained the age of 18 years unless—
the offence to which the warrant relates is an indictable offence or is punishable with imprisonment, or
the person’s address is not sufficiently established for a summons to be served on him.
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no summons shall be issued by virtue only of paragraph (c) of subsection (2) above, and
any warrant issued by virtue only of that paragraph shall require the person charged to be brought before a magistrates' court having jurisdiction to try the offence.
Where a person who is not a relevant prosecutor authorised to issue requisitions lays an information before a justice of the peace in respect of an offence to which this subsection applies, no warrant shall be issued under this section without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Where the offence charged is an indictable offence, a warrant under this section may be issued at any time notwithstanding that a summons has previously been issued.
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A justice of the peace may issue a summons or warrant under this section upon an information being laid before him notwithstanding any enactment requiring the information to be laid before two or more justices.
Subsection (4A) applies to—
a qualifying offence which is alleged to have been committed outside the United Kingdom, or
an ancillary offence relating to a qualifying offence where it is alleged that the qualifying offence was, or would have been, committed outside the United Kingdom.
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In subsection (4C) “qualifying offence” means any of the following—
piracy or an offence under section 2 of the Piracy Act 1837 (piracy where murder is attempted);
an offence under section 1 of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (grave breaches of Geneva conventions);
an offence which (disregarding the provisions of the Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978, the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983, the United Nations Personnel Act 1997 and the Terrorism Act 2000) would not be an offence apart from section 1 of the Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978 (attacks and threats of attacks on protected persons);
an offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages Act 1982 (hostage-taking);
an offence under section 1, 2 or 6 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 (hijacking etc);
an offence which (disregarding the provisions of the Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978, the Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978, the United Nations Personnel Act 1997 and the Terrorism Act 2000) would not be an offence apart from sections 1 to 2A of the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983 (offences relating to nuclear material);
an offence under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (torture);
an offence under section 1 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (endangering safety at aerodromes);
an offence under sections 9 to 14 of that Act (hijacking ships etc);
an offence which (disregarding the provisions of the Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978, the Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978, the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983 and the Terrorism Act 2000) would not be an offence apart from sections 1 to 3 of the United Nations Personnel Act 1997 (attacks on UN workers etc);
an offence under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the Space Industry Act 2018 (hijacking of spacecraft) or paragraph 2 or 4 of that Schedule (destroying or damaging spacecraft or endangering safety of spacecraft or safety at spaceports).
In subsection (4C) “ancillary offence”, in relation to an offence, means—
an offence under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 (encouraging or assisting crime) in relation to the offence (including, in relation to times before the commencement of that Part, an offence of incitement);
attempting or conspiring to commit the offence.
A magistrates' court has jurisdiction to try any summary offence.
A magistrates' court has jurisdiction under sections 51 and 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in respect of any offence committed by a person who appears or is brought before the court.
Subject to— a magistrates' court has jurisdiction to try summarily any offence which is triable either way.
sections 18 to 22A , and
any other enactment (wherever contained) relating to the mode of trial of offences triable either way,
A magistrates' court has jurisdiction, in the exercise of its powers under section 24, to try summarily an indictable offence.
This section does not affect any jurisdiction over offences conferred on a magistrates' court by any enactment not contained in this Act.
A magistrates' court for any area by which a person is tried for an offence shall have jurisdiction to try him for any summary offence for which he could be tried by a magistrates' court for any other area.
Nothing in this section shall affect any jurisdiction over offences conferred on a magistrates' court by any enactment not contained in this Act.
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Where an offence has been committed on the boundary between two or more areas to which this section applies, or within 500 yards of such a boundary, or in any harbour, river, arm of the sea or other water lying between two or more such areas, the offence may be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Act as having been committed in any of those areas.
An offence begun in one area to which this section applies and completed in another may be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Act as having been wholly committed in either.
Where an offence has been committed on any person, or on or in respect of any property, in or on a vehicle or vessel engaged on any journey or voyage through two or more areas to which this section applies, the offence may be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Act as having been committed in any of those areas; and where the side or any part of a road or any water along which the vehicle or vessel passed in the course of the journey or voyage forms the boundary between two or more areas to which this section applies, the offence may be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Act as having been committed in any of those areas.
The areas to which this section applies are any county, any London commission area and the City of London.
Sections 280, 281 and 282 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (offences on ships and abroad by British citizens and others) apply in relation to other offences under the law of England and Wales as they apply in relation to offences under that Act or instruments under that Act.
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The functions of examining justices may be discharged by a single justice.
Examining justices shall sit in open court except where any enactment contains an express provision to the contrary and except where it appears to them as respects the whole or any part of committal proceedings that the ends of justice would not be served by their sitting in open court.
Subject to subsection (4) below, evidence tendered before examining justices shall be tendered in the presence of the accused.
Examining justices may allow evidence to be tendered before them in the absence of the accused if—
they consider that by reason of his disorderly conduct before them it is not practicable for the evidence to be tendered in his presence, or
he cannot be present for reasons of health but is represented by a legal representative and has consented to the evidence being tendered in his absence.
A magistrates’ court may, before beginning to inquire into an offence as examining justices, or at any time during the inquiry, adjourn the hearing, and if it does so shall remand the accused.
The court shall when adjourning fix the time and place at which the hearing is to be resumed; and the time fixed shall be that at which the accused is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand or would be required to be brought before the court but for section 128(3A) below.
A magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices shall on consideration of the evidence— but the preceding provisions of this subsection have effect subject to the provisions of this and any other Act relating to the summary trial of indictable offences.
commit the accused for trial if it is of opinion that there is sufficient evidence to put him on trial by jury for any indictable offence;
discharge him if it is not of that opinion and he is in custody for no other cause than the offence under inquiry;
If a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices is satisfied that all the evidence tendered by or on behalf of the prosecutor falls within section 5A(3) above, it may commit the accused for trial for the offence without consideration of the contents of any statements, depositions or other documents, and without consideration of any exhibits which are not documents, unless— and subsection (1) above shall not apply to a committal for trial under this subsection.
the accused or one of the accused has no legal representative acting for him in the case, or
a legal representative for the accused or one of the accused, as the case may be, has requested the court to consider a submission that there is insufficient evidence to put that accused on trial by jury for the offence;
Subject to section 4 of the Bail Act 1976 and section 41 below, the court may commit a person for trial— and where his release on bail is conditional on his providing one or more surety or sureties and, in accordance with section 8(3) of the Bail Act 1976, the court fixes the amount in which the surety is to be bound with a view to his entering into his recognizance subsequently in accordance with subsections (4) and (5) or (6) of that section the court shall in the meantime commit the accused to custody in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection.
in custody, that is to say, by committing him to custody there to be safely kept until delivered in due course of law, or
on bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976, that is to say, by directing him to appear before the Crown Court for trial;
Where the court has committed a person to custody in accordance with paragraph (a) of subsection (3) above, then, if that person is in custody for no other cause, the court may, at any time before his first appearance before the Crown Court, grant him bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976 subject to a duty to appear before the Crown Court for trial.
Where a magistrates’ court acting as examining justices commits any person for trial or determines to discharge him, the designated officer for the court shall, on the day on which the committal proceedings are concluded or the next day, cause to be displayed in a part of the court house to which the public have access a notice— but this subsection shall have effect subject to section 4 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 (anonymity of complainant in rape etc. cases).
in either case giving that person’s name, address, and age (if known);
in a case where the court so commits him, stating the charge or charges on which he is committed and the court to which he is committed;
in a case where the court determines to discharge him, describing the offence charged and stating that it has so determined;
A notice displayed in pursuance of subsection (5) above shall not contain the name or address of any person under the age of 18 years unless the justices in question have stated that in their opinion he would be mentioned in the notice apart from the preceding provisions of this subsection and should be mentioned in it for the purpose of avoiding injustice to him.
Evidence falling within subsection (2) below, and only that evidence, shall be admissible by a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices.
Evidence falls within this subsection if it—
is tendered by or on behalf of the prosecutor, and
falls within subsection (3) below.
The following evidence falls within this subsection—
written statements complying with section 5B below;
the documents or other exhibits (if any) referred to in such statements;
depositions complying with section 5C below;
the documents or other exhibits (if any) referred to in such depositions;
statements complying with section 5D below;
documents falling within section 5E below.
In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.
A magistrates’ court committing a person for trial shall specify the place at which he is to be tried, and in selecting that place shall have regard to—
the convenience of the defence, the prosecution and the witnesses,
the expediting of the trial, and
any direction given by or on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor under section 4(5) of the Courts Act 1971.
For the purposes of section 5A above a written statement complies with this section if—
the conditions falling within subsection (2) below are met, and
such of the conditions falling within subsection (3) below as apply are met.
The conditions falling within this subsection are that—
the statement purports to be signed by the person who made it;
the statement contains a declaration by that person to the effect that it is true to the best of his knowledge and belief and that he made the statement knowing that, if it were tendered in evidence, he would be liable to prosecution if he wilfully stated in it anything which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true;
before the statement is tendered in evidence a copy of the statement is given, by or on behalf of the prosecutor, to each of the other parties to the proceedings.
The conditions falling within this subsection are that—
if the statement is made by a person under 18 years old, it gives his age;
if it is made by a person who cannot read it, it is read to him before he signs it and is accompanied by a declaration by the person who so read the statement to the effect that it was so read;
if it refers to any other document as an exhibit, the copy given to any other party to the proceedings under subsection (2)(c) above is accompanied by a copy of that document or by such information as may be necessary to enable the party to whom it is given to inspect that document or a copy of it.
So much of any statement as is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) below or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing; and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
Any document or other object referred to as an exhibit and identified in a statement admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall be treated as if it had been produced as an exhibit and identified in court by the maker of the statement.
In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.
Except as provided by subsections (2), (3) and (8) below, it shall not be lawful to publish in Great Britain a written report, or to include in a relevant programme for receptionin Great Britain a report, of any committal proceedings in England and Wales containing any matter other than that permitted by subsection (4) below.
Subject to subsection (2A) belowa magistrates’ court shall, on an application for the purpose made with reference to any committal proceedings by the accused or one of the accused, as the case may be, order that subsection (1) above shall not apply to reports of those proceedings.
It shall not be unlawful under this section to publish or include in a relevant programmea report of committal proceedings containing any matter other than that permitted by subsection (4) below— and where at any time during the inquiry the court proceeds to try summarily the case of one or more of the accused under section 25(3) or (7) below, while committing the other accused or one or more of the other accused for trial, it shall not be unlawful under this section to publish or include in a relevant programmeas part of a report of the summary trial, after the court determines to proceed as aforesaid, a report of so much of the committal proceedings containing any such matter as takes place before the determination.
where the magistrates’ court determines not to commit the accused, or determines to commit none of the accused, for trial, after it so determines;
where the court commits the accused or any of the accused for trial, after the conclusion of his trial or, as the case may be, the trial of the last to be tried;
Where in the case of two or more accused one of them objects to the making of an order under subsection (2) above, the court shall make the order if, and only if, it is satisfied, after hearing the representations of the accused, that it is in the interests of justice to do so.
The following matters may be contained in a report of committal proceedings published or included in a relevant programmewithout an order under subsection (2) above before the time authorised by subsection (3) above, that is to say—
the identity of the court and the names of the examining justices;
the names, addresses and occupations of the parties and witnesses and the ages of the accused and witnesses;
the offence or offences, or a summary of them, with which the accused is or are charged;
the names of the legal representativesengaged in the proceedings;
any decision of the court to commit the accused or any of the accused for trial, and any decision of the court on the disposal of the case of any accused not committed;
where the court commits the accused or any of the accused for trial, the charge or charges, or a summary of them, on which he is committed and the court to which he is committed;
where the committal proceedings are adjourned, the date and place to which they are adjourned;
any arrangements as to bail on committal or adjournment;
whether, for the purposes of the proceedings, representation was provided to the accused or any of the accused under Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
An order under subsection (2) above shall not apply to reports of proceedings under subsection (2A) above, but any decision of the court to make or not to make such an order may be contained in reports published or included in a relevant programmebefore the time authorised by subsection (3) below.
If a report is published or included in a relevant programme in contravention of this section, the following persons, that is to say— shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
in the case of a publication of a written report as part of a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, editor or publisher of the newspaper or periodical;
in the case of a publication of a written report otherwise than as part of a newspaper or periodical, the person who publishes it;
in the case of the inclusion of a report in a relevant programme, any body corporate which provides the service in which the programme is included and any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper.
Proceedings for an offence under this section shall not, in England and Wales, be instituted otherwise than by or with the consent of the Attorney-General.
Subsection (1) above shall be in addition to, and not in derogation from, the provisions of any other enactment with respect to the publication of reports and proceedings of magistrates’ and other courts.
For the purposes of this section committal proceedings shall, in relation to an information charging an indictable offence, be deemed to include any proceedings in the magistrates’ court before the court proceeds to inquire into the information as examining justices; but where a magistrates’ court which has begun to try an information summarily discontinues the summary trial in pursuance of section 25(2) or (6) below and proceeds to inquire into the information as examining justices, that circumstance shall not make it unlawful under this section for a report of any proceedings on the information which was published or included in a relevant programme before the court determined to proceed as aforesaid to have been so published or included in a relevant programme.
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In this section— . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “publish”, in relation to a report, means publish the report, either by itself or as part of a newspaper or periodical, for distribution to the public. “relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990).
" broadcast" means broadcast by wireless telegraphy sounds or visual images intended for general reception ;
Where a person is remanded on bail under subsection (1) above the court may, where it remands him on bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976 direct him to appear or, in any other case, direct that his recognizance be conditioned for his appearance—
the court—
is satisfied that the default is due to the offender’s wilful refusal or culpable neglect; and
has considered or tried all other methods of enforcing payment of the sum and it appears to the court that they are inappropriate or unsuccessful.
For the purposes of section 5A above a deposition complies with this section if—
a copy of it is sent to the prosecutor under section 97A(9) below,
the condition falling within subsection (2) below is met, and
the condition falling within subsection (3) below is met, in a case where it applies.
The condition falling within this subsection is that before the magistrates’ court begins to inquire into the offence concerned as examining justices a copy of the deposition is given, by or on behalf of the prosecutor, to each of the other parties to the proceedings.
The condition falling within this subsection is that, if the deposition refers to any other document as an exhibit, the copy given to any other party to the proceedings under subsection (2) above is accompanied by a copy of that document or by such information as may be necessary to enable the party to whom it is given to inspect that document or a copy of it.
So much of any deposition as is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) below or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing; and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any deposition as is not read aloud.
Any document or other object referred to as an exhibit and identified in a deposition admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall be treated as if it had been produced as an exhibit and identified in court by the person whose evidence is taken as the deposition.
In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.
For the purposes of section 5A above a statement complies with this section if the conditions falling within subsections (2) to (4) below are met.
The condition falling within this subsection is that, before the committal proceedings begin, the prosecutor notifies the magistrates’ court and each of the other parties to the proceedings that he believes—
that the statement might by virtue of section 23 or 24 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (statements in certain documents) be admissible as evidence if the case came to trial, and
that the statement would not be admissible as evidence otherwise than by virtue of section 23 or 24 of that Act if the case came to trial.
The condition falling within this subsection is that—
the prosecutor’s belief is based on information available to him at the time he makes the notification,
he has reasonable grounds for his belief, and
he gives the reasons for his belief when he makes the notification.
The condition falling within this subsection is that when the court or a party is notified as mentioned in subsection (2) above a copy of the statement is given, by or on behalf of the prosecutor, to the court or the party concerned.
So much of any statement as is in writing and is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) below or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing; and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
The following documents fall within this section—
any document which by virtue of any enactment is evidence in proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices;
any document which by virtue of any enactment is admissible, or may be used, or is to be admitted or received, in or as evidence in such proceedings;
any document which by virtue of any enactment may be considered in such proceedings;
any document whose production constitutes proof in such proceedings by virtue of any enactment;
any document by the production of which evidence may be given in such proceedings by virtue of any enactment.
In subsection (1) above—
references to evidence include references to prima facie evidence;
references to any enactment include references to any provision of this Act.
So much of any document as is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) below or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing; and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any document as is not read aloud.
In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.
Where a statement, deposition or document is admissible in evidence by virtue of section 5B, 5C, 5D or 5E above it may be proved by the production of—
the statement, deposition or document, or
a copy of it or the material part of it.
Subsection (1)(b) above applies whether or not the statement, deposition or document is still in existence.
It is immaterial for the purposes of this section how many removes there are between a copy and the original.
In this section “copy”, in relation to a statement, deposition or document, means anything onto which information recorded in the statement, deposition or document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly.
On the summary trial of an information, the court shall, if the accused appears, state to him the substance of the information and ask him whether he pleads guilty or not guilty.
The court, after hearing the evidence and the parties, shall convict the accused or dismiss the information.
If the accused pleads guilty, the court may convict him without hearing evidence.
A magistrates’ court may at any time, whether before or after beginning to try an information, adjourn the trial, and may do so, notwithstanding anything in this Act, when composed of a single justice.
The court may when adjourning either fix the time and place at which the trial is to be resumed, or, unless it remands the accused, leave the time and place to be determined later by the court; but the trial shall not be resumed at that time and place unless the court is satisfied that the parties have had adequate notice thereof.
A magistrates’ court may, for the purpose of enabling inquiries to be made or of determining the most suitable method of dealing with the case, exercise its power to adjourn after convicting the accused and before sentencing him or otherwise dealing with him; but, if it does so, the adjournment shall not be for more than 4 weeks at a time unless the court remands the accused in custody and, where it so remands him, the adjournment shall not be for more than 3 weeks at a time.
On adjourning the trial of an information the court may remand the accused and, where the accused has attained the age of 18 years, shall do so if the offence is triable either way and— and, where the court remands the accused, the time fixed for the resumption of the trial shall be that at which he is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand or would be required to be brought before the court but for section 128(3A) below.
on the occasion on which the accused first appeared, or was brought, before the court to answer to the information he was in custody or, having been released on bail, surrendered to the custody of the court; or
the accused has been remanded at any time in the course of proceedings on the information;
A youth court shall not be required to adjourn any proceedings for an offence at any stage by reason only of the fact—
that the court commits the accused for trial for another offence; or
that the accused is charged with another offence.
Subject to the provisions of this Act, where at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial of an information the prosecutor appears but the accused does not, This is subject to subsections (2), (2A), (3) , (4) and (8) . .
if the accused is under 18 years of age, the court may proceed in his absence; and
if the accused has attained the age of 18 years, the court shall proceed in his absence unless it appears to the court to be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.
Where a summons has been issued, the court shall not begin to try the information in the absence of the accused unless either it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that the summons was served on the accused within what appears to the court to be a reasonable time before the trial or adjourned trial or the accused has appeared on a previous occasion to answer to the information.
In proceedings to which this subsection applies, the court. shall not in a person’s absence sentence him to imprisonment or detention in a detention centre or make a detention and training order or an order under paragraph 13(1)(a) or (b) of Schedule 16 to the Sentencing Code that a suspended sentence passed on him shall take effect.
The court shall not proceed in the absence of the accused if it considers that there is an acceptable reason for his failure to appear.
In proceedings to which this subsection applies, the court. shall not in a person’s absence impose any disqualification on him, except on resumption of the hearing after an adjournment under section 10(3) above; and where a trial is adjourned in pursuance of this subsection the notice required by section 10(2) above shall include notice of the reason for the adjournment.
But where a sentence or order of a kind mentioned in subsection (3) is imposed or given in the absence of the offender, the offender must be brought before the court before being taken to a prison or other institution to begin serving his sentence (and the sentence or order is not to be regarded as taking effect until he is brought before the court).
Subsections (3) and (4) apply to—
proceedings instituted by an information, where a summons has been issued; and
proceedings instituted by a written charge.
Subsection (4) does not apply in relation to proceedings adjourned under section 16C(3)(a) because of section 16C(2) (adjournment of a section 16A trial because the accused indicates a wish to make representations).
Nothing in this section requires the court to enquire into the reasons for the accused's failure to appear before deciding whether to proceed in his absence.
The court shall state in open court its reasons for not proceeding under this section in the absence of an accused who has attained the age of 18 years; and the court shall cause those reasons to be entered in its register of proceedings.
This section and sections 12 to 16 do not apply if and for so long as a written charge is to be tried by a magistrates' court in accordance with section 16A.
This section shall apply where—
a summons has been issued requiring a person to appear before a magistrates’ court, other than a youth court, to answer to an information for a summary offence, not being—
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an offence specified in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument; and
the designated officer for the court is notified by or on behalf of the prosecutor that the documents mentioned in subsection (3) below have been served upon the accused with the summons.
The reference in subsection (1)(a) above to the issue of a summons requiring a person to appear before a magistrates’ court other than a youth court includes a reference to the issue of a summons requiring a person who has attained the age of 16 at the time when it is issued to appear before a youth court.
subject to section 11(3) and (4) above, the court may proceed to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, whether or not the prosecutor is also absent, in like manner as if both parties had appeared and the accused had pleaded guilty; or
if the court decides not to proceed as aforesaid, the court shall adjourn or further adjourn the trial for the purpose of dealing with the information as if the notification aforesaid had not been given.
The documents referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are—
a notice containing such statement of the effect of this section as may be prescribed;
either of the following, namely—
a concise statement of such facts relating to the charge as will be placed before the court by the prosecutor if the accused pleads guilty without appearing before the court, or
a copy of such written statement or statements complying with subsection (2)(a) and (b) of section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (proof by written statement) as will be so placed in those circumstances; and
if any information relating to the accused will or may, in those circumstances, be placed before the court by or on behalf of the prosecutor, a notice containing or describing that information.
Where the designated officer for the court receives a notification in writing purporting to be given by the accused or by a legal representative acting on his behalf that the accused desires to plead guilty without appearing before the court—
the designated officer for the court shall inform the prosecutor of the receipt of the notification; and
the following provisions of this section shall apply.
If at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial of the information— the court may, subject to section 11(3) and (4) above and subsections (6) to (8) below, proceed to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, whether or not the prosecutor is also absent, in like manner as if both parties had appeared and the accused had pleaded guilty.
the accused does not appear; and
it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such manner as may be prescribed, that the documents mentioned in subsection (3) above have been served upon the accused with the summons,
If at any time before the hearing the designated officer for the court receives an indication in writing purporting to be given by or on behalf of the accused that he wishes to withdraw the notification—
the designated officer for the court shall inform the prosecutor of the withdrawal; and
the court shall deal with the information as if the notification had not been given.
Before accepting the plea of guilty and convicting the accused under subsection (5) above, the court shall , subject to rules of court made under subsection (7ZA), cause the following to be read out before the court ..., namely—
in a case where a statement of facts as mentioned in subsection (3)(b)(i) above was served on the accused with the summons, that statement;
any information contained in a notice so served, and any information described in such a notice and produced by or on behalf of the prosecutor;
in a case where a statement or statements as mentioned in subsection (3)(b)(ii) above was served on the accused with the summons and the court does not otherwise direct, that statement or those statements;
the notification under subsection (4) above; and
any submission received with the notification which the accused wishes to be brought to the attention of the court with a view to mitigation of sentence.
If the court proceeds under subsection (5) above to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, the court shall not permit— to be made or placed before the court by or on behalf of the prosecutor except on a resumption of the trial after an adjournment under section 10(3) above.
any other statement with respect to any facts relating to the offence charged; or
any other information relating to the accused,
Rules of court may—
specify which of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (7) (if any) are to apply;
provide that any such paragraph is to apply only in circumstances specified in the rules.
specify the persons, or description of persons, who must—
read out the things mentioned in such of those paragraphs as apply, and
give the account mentioned in subsection (7A).
Where rules of court are made under subsection (7ZA), subsection (7) applies only to the extent provided for by the rules.
Where the court gives a direction under subsection (7)(aa) above the court shall cause an account to be given orally before the court ... of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
Whether or not a direction under paragraph (aa) of subsection (7) above is given in relation to any statement served as mentioned in that paragraph the court need not cause to be read out the declaration required by section 9(2)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.
If the court decides not to proceed under subsection (5) above to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, it shall adjourn or further adjourn the trial for the purpose of dealing with the information as if the notification under subsection (4) above had not been given.
In relation to an adjournment on the occasion of the accused’s conviction in his absence under subsection (5) above or to an adjournment required by subsection (9) above, the notice required by section 10(2) above shall include notice of the reason for the adjournment.
No notice shall be required by section 10(2) above in relation to an adjournment—
which is for not more than 4 weeks; and
the purpose of which is to enable the court to proceed under subsection (5) above at a later time.
No order shall be made under subsection (1) above unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.
Any such document as is mentioned in subsection (3) above may be served in Scotland with a summons which is so served under the Summary Jurisdiction (Process) Act 1881.
Subject to the provisions of this section, where the court, instead of proceeding in the absence of the accused, adjourns or further adjourns the trial, the court may, . . ., issue a warrant for his arrest.
Where a summons has been issued, the court shall not issue a warrant under this section unless the condition in subsection (2A) below or that in subsection (2B) below is fulfilled.
A warrant for the arrest of any person who has attained the age of 18 shall not be issued under this section unless—
. . . the offence to which the warrant relates is punishable with imprisonment, or
the court, having convicted the accused, proposes to impose a disqualification on him.
The condition in this subsection is that it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that the summons was served on the accused within what appears to the court to be a reasonable time before the trial or adjourned trial.
This section shall not apply to an adjournment on the occasion of the accused’s conviction in his absence under subsection (5) of section 12 above or to an adjournment required by subsection (9) of that section.
The condition in this subsection is that—
the adjournment now being made is a second or subsequent adjournment of the trial,
the accused was present on the last (or only) occasion when the trial was adjourned, and
on that occasion the court determined the time for the hearing at which the adjournment is now being made.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
after having, either on that or on a previous occasion, received any evidence or convicted the accused without hearing evidence on his pleading guilty under section 9(3) above; or
after having on a previous occasion convicted the accused without hearing evidence on his pleading guilty under section 12(2) above,
A warrant for the arrest of any person who has not attained the age of 18 shall not be issued under this section unless—
the offence to which the warrant relates is punishable, in the case of a person who has attained the age of 18, with imprisonment, or
the court, having convicted the accused, proposes to impose a disqualification on him.
Where the designated officer for the court has received such a notification as is mentioned in subsection (4) of section 12 above but the accused nevertheless appears before the court at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial, the court may, if he consents, proceed under subsection (5) of that section as if he were absent.
Where the designated officer for the court has not received such a notification and the accused appears before the court at that time and place and informs the court that he desires to plead guilty, the court may, if he consents, proceed under section 12(5) above as if he were absent and the designated officer had received such a notification.
For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above, subsections (6) to (11) of section 12 above shall apply with the modifications mentioned in subsection (4) or, as the case may be, subsection (5) below.
The modifications for the purposes of subsection (1) above are that—
before accepting the plea of guilty and convicting the accused under subsection (5) of section 12 above, the court shall afford the accused an opportunity to make an oral submission with a view to mitigation of sentence; and
where he makes such a submission, subsection (7)(d) of that section shall not apply.
The modifications for the purposes of subsection (2) above are that—
subsection (6) of section 12 above shall apply as if any reference to the notification under subsection (4) of that section were a reference to the consent under subsection (2) above;
subsection (7)(c) and (d) of that section shall not apply; and
before accepting the plea of guilty and convicting the accused under subsection (5) of that section, the court shall afford the accused an opportunity to make an oral submission with a view to mitigation of sentence.
Where a summons has been issued under section 1 above and a magistrates’ court has begun to try the information to which the summons relates, then, if— without prejudice to the validity of the information, the summons and all subsequent proceedings shall be void.
the accused, at any time during or after the trial, makes a statutory declaration that he did not know of the summons or the proceedings until a date specified in the declaration, being a date after the court has begun to try the information; and
within 21 days of that date the declaration is served on the designated officer for the court,
For the purposes of subsection (1) above a statutory declaration shall be deemed to be duly served on the designated officer if it is delivered to him, or left at his office, or is sent in a registered letter or by the recorded delivery service addressed to him at his office.
If on the application of the accused it appears to a magistrates’ court (which for this purpose may be composed of a single justice) that it was not reasonable to expect the accused to serve such a statutory declaration as is mentioned in subsection (1) above within the period allowed by that subsection, the court may accept service of such a declaration by the accused after that period has expired; and a statutory declaration accepted under this subsection shall be deemed to have been served as required by that subsection.
Where any proceedings have become void by virtue of subsection (1) above, the information shall not be tried again by any of the same justices.
Where at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial of an information the accused appears or is brought before the court and the prosecutor does not appear, the court may dismiss the information or, if evidence has been received on a previous occasion, proceed in the absence of the prosecutor.
Where, instead of dismissing the information or proceeding in the absence of the prosecutor, the court adjourns the trial, it shall not remand the accused in custody unless he has been brought from custody or cannot be remanded on bail by reason of his failure to find sureties.
Subect to section 11(3) and (4) and to section 12 above, where at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial of an information neither the prosecutor nor the accused appears, the court may dismiss the information or, if evidence has been received on a previous occasion, proceed in their absence.
For the purposes of this section a hearing is a pre-trial hearing if—
it relates to an information—
which is to be tried summarily, and
to which the accused has pleaded not guilty, and
it takes place before the start of the trial.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the start of a summary trial occurs when the court begins—
to hear evidence from the prosecution at the trial, or
to consider whether to exercise its power under section 37(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (power to make hospital order without convicting the accused).
At a pre-trial hearing, a magistrates' court may make a ruling as to any matter mentioned in subsection (4) if—
the condition in subsection (5) is met,
the court has given the parties an opportunity to be heard, and
it appears to the court that it is in the interests of justice to make the ruling.
The matters are—
any question as to the admissibility of evidence;
any other question of law relating to the case.
The condition is that, if the accused is not legally represented . . . —
the court must ask whether he wishes to be provided with representation for the purposes of the proceedings under Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, and
if he does, the necessary arrangements must be made for him to apply for it and, where appropriate, obtain it.
A ruling may be made under this section—
on an application by a party to the case, or
of the court’s own motion.
For the purposes of this section and section 8B, references to the prosecutor are to any person acting as prosecutor, whether an individual or body.
Subject to subsections (3) and (6), a ruling under section 8A has binding effect from the time it is made until the case against the accused or, if there is more than one, against each of them, is disposed of.
The case against an accused is disposed of if—
he is acquitted or convicted,
the prosecutor decides not to proceed with the case against him, or
the information is dismissed.
A magistrates' court may discharge or vary (or further vary) a ruling under section 8A if—
the condition in section 8A(5) is met,
the court has given the parties an opportunity to be heard, and
it appears to the court that it is in the interests of justice to do so.
The court may act under subsection (3)—
on an application by a party to the case, or
of its own motion.
No application may be made under subsection (4)(a) unless there has been a material change of circumstances since the ruling was made or, if a previous application has been made, since the application (or last application) was made.
A ruling under section 8A is discharged in relation to an accused if—
the magistrates' court ... sends him to the Crown Court for trial for the offence charged in the information, or
a count charging him with the offence is included in an indictment by virtue of section 40 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Except as provided by this section no report of matters falling within subsection (2) may be published in England and Wales.
The following matters fall within this subsection—
a ruling under section 8A;
proceedings on an application for a ruling under section 8A;
an order under section 8B that a ruling under section 8A be discharged, varied or further varied;
proceedings on an application under section 8B for a ruling under section 8A to be discharged, varied or further varied.
A magistrates' court dealing with any matter falling within subsection (2) may order that subsection (1) does not apply, or does not apply to a specified extent, to a report of the matter.
Where there is only one accused and he objects to the making of an order under subsection (3)—
the court may make the order if (and only if) satisfied after considering the representations of the accused that it is in the interests of justice to do so, and
if the order is made, it shall not apply to the extent that a report deals with any such objection or representations.
Where there are two or more accused and one or more of them objects to the making of an order under subsection (3)—
the court may make the order if (and only if) satisfied after considering the representations of each of the accused that it is in the interests of justice to do so, and
if the order is made, it shall not apply to the extent that a report deals with any such objection or representations.
Subsection (1) does not apply to the publication of a report of matters after the case against the accused or, if more than one, against each of them, is disposed of.
Subsection (1) does not apply to a report which contains only one or more of the following matters—
the identity of the court and the names of the justices;
the names, ages, home addresses and occupations of the accused and witnesses;
the offence or offences, or a summary of them, with which the accused or any of the accused are charged;
the names of counsel and solicitors in the proceedings;
where the proceedings are adjourned, the date and place to which they are adjourned;
any arrangements as to bail;
whether, for the purposes of the proceedings, representation was provided to the accused or any of the accused under Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
The addresses that may be included in a report by virtue of subsection (7) are addresses—
at any relevant time, and
at the time of their inclusion in the publication.
In subsection (8), “relevant time” means a time when events giving rise to the charges to which the proceedings relate are alleged to have occurred.
Nothing in this section affects any prohibition or restriction imposed by virtue of any other enactment on the publication of a report of any matter.
In this section and in section 8D—
references to publication of a report of matters falling within subsection (2)—
include references to inclusion of those matters in any speech, writing, relevant programme or other communication in whatever form which is addressed to the public at large or any section of the public (and for this purpose every relevant programme is to be taken to be so addressed), but
do not include references to inclusion of those matters in a document prepared for use in particular legal proceedings;
“relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990.
If a report is published in contravention of section 8C each of the following persons is guilty of an offence—
in the case of a publication of a report as part of a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, editor or publisher of the newspaper or periodical;
in the case of the inclusion of a report in a relevant programme, any body corporate which is engaged in providing the service in which the programme is included and any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper;
in the case of any other publication, any person publishing it.
If an offence under this section committed by a body corporate is proved— an officer, the officer as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or
to be attributable to any neglect on the part of,
In subsection (2), “officer” means a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity.
If the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, “director”in subsection (3) means a member of that body.
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Proceedings for an offence under this section may not be instituted otherwise than by or with the consent of the Attorney General.
The offences listed in Schedule 1 to this Act shall be triable either way.
Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any other enactment by virtue of which any offence is triable either way.
Sections 19 to 23 below shall have effect where a person who has attained the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court on an information charging him with an offence triable either way and—
he indicates under section 17A above that (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead not guilty, or
his representative indicates under section 17B above that (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead not guilty
Without prejudice to section 11(1) above, everything that the court is required to do under sections 19 to 22 below must be done before any evidence is called and, subject to subsection (3) below and section 23 below, with the accused present in court.
The court may proceed in the absence of the accused in accordance with such of the provisions of sections 19 to 22 below as are applicable in the circumstances if the court considers that by reason of his disorderly conduct before the court it is not practicable for the proceedings to be conducted in his presence; and the subsections (3) to (5) of section 23 below, so far as applicable, shall have effect in relation to proceedings conducted in the absence of the accused by virtue of this subsection (references in those subsections to the person representing the accused being for this purpose read as references to the person, if any, representing him).
A magistrates’ court proceeding under sections 19 to 23 below may adjourn the proceedings at any time, and on doing so on any occasion when the accused is present may remand the accused, and shall remand him if— and where the court remands the accused, the time fixed for the resumption of the proceedings shall be that at which he is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand or would be required to be brought before the court but for section 128(3A) below.
on the occasion on which he first appeared, or was brought, before the court to answer to the information he was in custody or, having been released on bail, surrendered to the custody of the court; or
he has been remanded at any time in the course of proceedings on the information;
The functions of a magistrates' court under sections 19 to 23 below may be discharged by a single justice, but this subsection shall not be taken as authorising— by a magistrates' court composed of fewer than two justices.
the summary trial of an information (otherwise than in accordance with section 20(7) below); or
the imposition of a sentence,
This section shall have effect where a person who has attained the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court on an information charging him with an offence triable either way.
Everything that the court is required to do under the following provisions of this section must be done with the accused present in court.
The court shall cause the charge to be written down, if this has not already been done, and to be read to the accused.
The court shall then explain to the accused in ordinary language that he may indicate whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty, and that if he indicates that he would plead guilty—
the court must proceed as mentioned in subsection (6) below; and
he may (unless section 17D(2) below were to apply) be committed for sentence to the Crown Court under section 14 or (if applicable) 15 of the Sentencing Code if the court is of such opinion as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of the applicable section.
The court shall then ask the accused whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty.
If the accused indicates that he would plead guilty the court shall proceed as if—
the proceedings constituted from the beginning the summary trial of the information; and
section 9(1) above was complied with and he pleaded guilty under it.
If the accused indicates that he would plead not guilty section 18(1) below shall apply.
If the accused in fact fails to indicate how he would plead, for the purposes of this section and section 18(1) below he shall be taken to indicate that he would plead not guilty.
Subject to subsection (6) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
asking the accused under this section whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty;
an indication by the accused under this section of how he would plead.
If in respect of the offence the court receives a notice under section 51B or 51C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (which relate to serious or complex fraud cases and to certain cases involving children respectively), the preceding provisions of this section and the provisions of section 17B below shall not apply, and the court shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51 or, as the case may be, section 51A of that Act.
The court shall decide whether the offence appears to it more suitable for summary trial or for trial on indictment.
Before making a decision under this section, the court—
shall give the prosecution an opportunity to inform the court of the accused’s previous convictions (if any); and
shall give the prosecution and the accused an opportunity to make representations as to whether summary trial or trial on indictment would be more suitable.
In making a decision under this section, the court shall consider— and shall have regard to any allocation guidelines (or revised allocation guidelines) issued as definitive guidelines under section 170 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
whether the sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for the offence would be adequate; and
any representations made by the prosecution or the accused under subsection (2)(b) above,
Where— subsection (3)(a) above shall have effect as if references to the sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for the offence were a reference to the maximum aggregate sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for all of the offences taken together.
the accused is charged with two or more offences; and
it appears to the court that the charges for the offences could be joined in the same indictment or that the offences arise out of the same or connected circumstances,
In this section any reference to a previous conviction is a reference to—
a previous conviction by a court in the United Kingdom; ... or
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
a previous finding of guilt in—
any proceedings under the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 or the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (whether before a court-martial or any other court or person authorised under any of those Acts to award a punishment in respect of any offence); or
any proceedings before a Standing Civilian Court.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If, in respect of the offence, the court receives a notice under section 51B or 51C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (which relate to serious or complex fraud cases and to certain cases involving children respectively), the preceding provisions of this section and sections 20, 20A and 21 below shall not apply, and the court shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of that Act.
This section shall have effect where—
a person who has attained the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court on an information charging him with an offence triable either way,
the accused is represented by a legal representative,
the court considers that by reason of the accused’s disorderly conduct before the court it is not practicable for proceedings under section 17A above to be conducted in his presence, and
the court considers that it should proceed in the absence of the accused.
In such a case—
the court shall cause the charge to be written down, if this has not already been done, and to be read to the representative;
the court shall ask the representative whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
if the representative indicates that the accused would plead guilty the court shall proceed as if the proceedings constituted from the beginning the summary trial of the information, and as if section 9(1) above was complied with and the accused pleaded guilty under it;
if the representative indicates that the accused would plead not guilty section 18(1) below shall apply.
If the representative in fact fails to indicate how the accused would plead, for the purposes of this section and section 18(1) below he shall be taken to indicate that the accused would plead not guilty.
Subject to subsection (2)(c) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
asking the representative under this section whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
an indication by the representative under this section of how the accused would plead.
If the court decides under section 19 above that the offence appears to it more suitable for summary trial, the following provisions of this section shall apply (unless they are excluded by section 23 below).
The court shall explain to the accused in ordinary language—
that it appears to the court more suitable for him to be tried summarily for the offence;
that he can either consent to be so tried or, if he wishes, be tried on indictment; and
that if he is tried summarily and is convicted by the court, he may be committed for sentence to the Crown Court under section 14 or (if applicable) 15 of the Sentencing Code if the court is of such opinion as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of the applicable section.
The accused may then request an indication (“an indication of sentence”) of whether a custodial sentence or non-custodial sentence would be more likely to be imposed if he were to be tried summarily for the offence and to plead guilty.
if he consents to be tried summarily, shall proceed to the summary trial of the information;
if he does not so consent, shall proceed to inquire into the information as examining justices.
If the accused requests an indication of sentence, the court may, but need not, give such an indication.
If the accused requests and the court gives an indication of sentence, the court shall ask the accused whether he wishes, on the basis of the indication, to reconsider the indication of plea which was given, or is taken to have been given, under section 17A or 17B above.
If the accused indicates that he wishes to reconsider the indication under section 17A or 17B above, the court shall ask the accused whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty.
If the accused indicates that he would plead guilty the court shall proceed as if—
the proceedings constituted from that time the summary trial of the information; and
section 9(1) above were complied with and he pleaded guilty under it.
Subsection (9) below applies where—
the court does not give an indication of sentence (whether because the accused does not request one or because the court does not agree to give one);
the accused either— to reconsider the indication of plea under section 17A or 17B above; or
does not indicate, in accordance with subsection (5) above, that he wishes; or
indicates, in accordance with subsection (5) above, that he does not wish,
the accused does not indicate, in accordance with subsection (6) above, that he would plead guilty.
The court shall ask the accused whether he consents to be tried summarily or wishes to be tried on indictment and—
if he consents to be tried summarily, shall proceed to the summary trial of the information; and
if he does not so consent, shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
A magistrates’ court proceeding under section 17A or 17B above may adjourn the proceedings at any time, and on doing so on any occasion when the accused is present may remand the accused, and shall remand him if— and where the court remands the accused, the time fixed for the resumption of proceedings shall be that at which he is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand or would be required to be brought before the court but for section 128(3A) below.
on the occasion on which he first appeared, or was brought, before the court to answer to the information he was in custody or, having been released on bail, surrendered to the custody of the court; or
he has been remanded at any time in the course of proceedings on the information;
If the court decides under section 19 above that the offence appears to it more suitable for trial on indictment, the court shall tell the accused that the court has decided that it is more suitable for him to be tried on indictment, and shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
If— the court shall consider whether, having regard to any representations made by him or by the prosecutor, the value involved (as defined in section 22(10) below) appears to the court to exceed the relevant sum (as specified for the purposes of section 22 below).
the offence is a scheduled offence (as defined in section 22(1) below);
the court proceeds in relation to the offence in accordance with section 17A(6) or 17B(2)(c) above; and
the court convicts the accused of the offence,
If it appears to the court clear that the value involved does not exceed the relevant sum, or it appears to the court for any reason not clear whether the value involved does or does not exceed the relevant sum—
subject to subsection (4) below, the court shall not have power to impose on the accused in respect of the offence a sentence in excess of the limits mentioned in section 33(1)(a) below; and
sections 14 and 18 of the Sentencing Code shall not apply as regards that offence.
Subsections (9) to (12) of section 22 below shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section (reading the reference to subsection (1) in section 22(9) as a reference to subsection (1) of this section).
Subsection (2)(a) above does not apply to an offence under section 12A of the Theft Act 1968 (aggravated vehicle-taking).
If the offence charged by the information is one of those mentioned in the first column of Schedule 2 to this Act (in this section referred to as “scheduled offences”) then, ... the court shall, before proceeding in accordance with section l9 above, consider whether, having regard to any representations made by the prosecutor or the accused, the value involved (as defined in subsection (10) below) appears to the court to exceed the relevant sum. For the purposes of this section the relevant sum is £5,000.
If, where subsection (1) above applies, it appears to the court clear that, for the offence charged, the value involved does not exceed the relevant sum, the court shall proceed as if the offence were triable only summarily, and sections l9 to 21 above shall not apply.
If, where subsection (1) above applies, it appears to the court clear that, for the offence charged, the value involved exceeds that relevant sum, the court shall thereupon proceed in accordance with section 19 above in the ordinary way without further regard to the provisions of this section.
If, where subsection (1) above applies, it appears to the court for any reason not clear whether, for the offence charged, the value involved does or does not exceed the relevant sum, the provisions of subsections (5) and (6) below shall apply.
The court shall cause the charge to be written down, if this has not already been done, and read to the accused, and shall explain to him in ordinary language—
that he can, if he wishes, consent to be tried summarily for the offence and that if he consents to be so tried, he will definitely be tried in that way; and
that if he is tried summarily and is convicted by the court, his liability to imprisonment or a fine will be limited as provided in section 33 below.
After explaining to the accused as provided by subsection (5) above the court shall ask him whether he consents to be tried summarily and—
if he so consents, shall proceed in accordance with subsection (2) above as if that subsection applied;
if he does not so consent, shall proceed in accordance with subsection (3) above as if that subsection applied.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
is one of two or more offences with which the accused is charged on the same occasion and which appear to the court to constitute or form part of a series of two or more offences of the same or a similar character ; or
consists in the incitement to commit two or more scheduled offences.
Where a person is convicted by a magistrates’ court of a scheduled offence, it shall not be open to him to appeal to the Crown Court against the conviction on the ground that the convicting court’s decision as to the value involved was mistaken.
If, where subsection (1) above applies, the offence charged is one with which the accused is charged jointly with a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, the reference in that subsection to any representations made by the accused shall be read as including any representations made by the person under 18.
In this section “the value involved”, in relation to any scheduled offence, means the value indicated in the second column of Schedule 2 to this Act, measured as indicated in the third column of that Schedule; and in that Schedule “the material time” means the time of the alleged offence.
Where— this section shall have effect as if any reference in it to the value involved were a reference to the aggregate of the values involved.
the accused is charged on the same occasion with two or more scheduled offences and it appears to the court that they constitute or form part of a series of two or more offences of the same or a similar character; or
the offence charged consists in incitement to commit two or more scheduled offences,
In paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 “memorial” means— which has a commemorative purpose.
a building or other structure, or any other thing, erected or installed on land (or in or on any building or other structure on land), or
a garden or any other thing planted or grown on land,
For the purposes of that paragraph, any moveable thing (such as a bunch of flowers) which— is also to be regarded as a memorial.
is left in, on or at a memorial within the meaning of subsection (11A), and
has (or can reasonably be assumed to have) a commemorative purpose,
For the purposes of subsections (11A) and (11B)—
references to a building or a structure include a reference to part of a building or part of a structure (as the case may be), and
something has a commemorative purpose if at least one of its purposes is to commemorate—
one or more individuals or animals (or a particular description of individuals or animals), or
an event or a series of events (such as an armed conflict).
It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (11C)(b)(i) whether or not any individuals or animals concerned are or were (at any material time)—
living or deceased, or
capable of being identified.
Subsection (8) of section 12A of the Theft Act 1968 (which determines when a vehicle is recovered) shall apply for the purposes of paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to this Act as it applies for the purposes of that section.
The functions of a magistrates' court under sections 17A to 17D above may be discharged by a single justice.
Subsection (1) above shall not be taken as authorising— by a magistrates' court composed of fewer than two justices.
the summary trial of an information (otherwise than in accordance with section 17A(6) or 17B(2)(c) above); or
the imposition of a sentence,
Where— the following provisions of this section shall apply.
the accused is represented by a legal representativewho in his absence signifies to the court the accused’s consent to the proceedings for determining how he is to be tried for the offence being conducted in his absence; and
the court is satisfied that there is good reason for proceeding in the absence of the accused,
Subject to the following provisions of this section, the court may proceed in the absence of the accused in accordance with such of the provisions of sections 19 to 22 above as are applicable in the circumstances.
If, in a case where subsection (1) of section 22 above applies, it appears to the court as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section, subsections (5) and (6) of that section shall not apply and the court—
if the accused’s consent to be tried summarily has been or is signified by the person representing him, shall proceed in accordance with subsection (2) of that section as if that subsection applied; or
if that consent has not been and is not so signified, shall proceed in accordance with subsection (3) of that section as if that subsection applied.
If the court decides under section 19 above that the offence appears to it more suitable for for summary trial then—
if the accused’s consent to be tried summarily has been or is signified by the person representing him, section 20 above shall not apply, and the court shall proceed to the summary trial of the information; or
if that consent has not been and is not so signified, section 20 above shall not apply and the court shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
If the court decides under section 19 above that the offence appears to it more suitable for trial on indictment, section 21 above shall not apply and the court shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Where a person under the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates' court on an information charging him with an indictable offence he shall, subject to sections 51 and 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and to sections 24A and 24B below, be tried summarily.
he has attained the age of 14 and the offence is such as is mentioned in subsection (2) of section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (under which young persons convicted on indictment of certain grave crimes may be sentenced to be detained for long periods) and the court considers that if he is found guilty of the offence it ought to be possible to sentence him in pursuance of that subsection; or
he is charged jointly with a person who has attained the age of 17 and the court considers it necessary in the interests of justice to commit them both for trial;
Where, in a case falling within subsection (1)(b) above, a magistrates’ court commits a person under the age of 18 years for trial for an offence with which he is charged jointly with a person who has attained that age, the court may also commit him for trial for any other indictable offence with which he is charged at the same time (whether jointly with the person who has attained that age or not) if the charges for both offences could be joined in the same indictment.
Where a magistrates’ court— the court may also commit him for trial for any other indictable offence with which he is charged at the same time if the charges for both offences could be joined in the same indictment.
commits a person under the age of 18 for trial for an offence falling within subsection (1B) below ; or
in a case falling within subsection (1)(a) above, commits such a person for trial for an offence,
If on trying a person summarily in pursuance of subsection (1) above the court finds him guilty, it may impose a fine of an amount not exceeding £1000 or may exercise the same powers as it could have exercised if he had been found guilty of an offence for which, but for section 227(1) of the Sentencing Code, it could have sentenced him to imprisonment for a term not exceeding— whichever is the less.
the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence on conviction on indictment; or
six months,
An offence falls within this subsection if—
it is an offence of homicide; . . .
each of the requirements of section 51A(1) of the Firearms Act 1968 would be satisfied with respect to— if he were convicted of the offence. or
the offence; and
the person charged with it,
In relation to a person under the age of l4 subsection (3) above shall have effect as if for the words “ £1000” there were substituted the words “ £250”; . . ..
section 29(3) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (minimum sentences in certain cases of using someone to mind a weapon) would apply if he were convicted of the offence.
Subsections (2) to (2D) below shall have effect where a person who has attained the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court on an information charging him with an offence triable either way.
Where the court is required under section 20(9) above to proceed to the summary trial of the information, the prosecution may apply to the court for the offence to be tried on indictment instead.
Where the court has begun to inquire into the information as examining justices, then, if at any time during the inquiry it appears to the court, having regard to any representations made in the presence of the accused by the prosecutor, or made by the accused, and to the nature of the case, that the offence is after all more suitable for summary trial, the court may, after doing as provided in subsection (4) below, ask the accused whether he consents to be tried summarily and, if he so consents, may subject to subsection (3A) below proceed to try the information summarily;
An application under subsection (2) above—
must be made before the summary trial begins; and
must be dealt with by the court before any other application or issue in relation to the summary trial is dealt with.
Before asking the accused under subsection (3) above whether he consents to be tried summarily, the court shall in ordinary language—
explain to him that it appears to the court more suitable for him to be tried summarily for the offence, but that this can only be done if he consents to be so tried; and
unless it has already done so, explain to him, as provided in section 20(2)(b) above, about the court’s power to commit to the Crown Court for sentence.
The court may grant an application under subsection (2) above but only if it is satisfied that the sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for the offence would be inadequate.
Where a person under the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court on an information charging him with an indictable offence other than one falling within section 24(1B) above , and the court— subsection (6) or (7) below, as the case may be, shall have effect.
has begun to try the information summarily on the footing that the case does not fall within paragraph (a) or (b) of section 24(1) above and must therefore be tried summarily, as required by the said section 24(1); or
has begun to inquire into the case as examining justices on the footing that the case does so fall,
Where— subsection (2B) above shall have effect as if references to the sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for the offence were a reference to the maximum aggregate sentence which a magistrates' court would have power to impose for all of the offences taken together.
the accused is charged on the same occasion with two or more offences; and
it appears to the court that they constitute or form part of a series of two or more offences of the same or a similar character,
If, in a case falling within subsection (5)(a) above, it appears to the court at any time before the conclusion of the evidence for the prosecution that the case is after all one which under the said section 24(1) ought not to be tried summarily, the court may discontinue the summary trial and proceed to inquire into the information as examining justices and, on doing so, shall adjourn the hearing.
Where the court grants an application under subsection (2) above, it shall proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
If, in a case falling within subsection (5)(b) above, it appears to the court at any time during the inquiry that the case is after all one which under the said section 24(1) ought to be tried summarily, the court may proceed to try the information summarily.
Where the prosecution is being carried on by the Attorney General or the Solicitor General, the court shall not exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) above without his consent and, where the prosecution is being carried on by the Director of Public Prosecutions, shall not exercise that power if the Attorney General directs that it should not be exercised.
If the court adjourns the hearing under subsection (2) or (6) above it may (if it thinks fit) do so without remanding the accused.
Where, in the circumstances mentioned in section 23(1)(a) above, the court is not satisfied that there is good reason for proceeding in the absence of the accused, the justice or any of the justices of which the court is composed may issue a summons directed to the accused requiring his presence before the court.
in the circumstances mentioned in section 23(1)(a) above the court is not satisfied that there is good reason for proceeding in the absence of the accused; or
subsection (4)(b) or (5) of section 23 or subsection (2) or (6) of section 25 above applies, and the court adjourns the hearing in pursuance of that subsection without remanding the accused,
In a case within subsection (1) above, if the accused is not present at the time and place appointed for the proceedings under section 19 or section 22(1) above, the court may issue a warrant for his arrest.
in a case within subsection (1)(a) above, for the proceedings under section 19(1) or 22(1) above, as the case may be; or
in a case within subsection (1)(b) above, for the resumption of the hearing,
Where the case is dealt with in accordance with section 20(7) above, no court (whether a magistrates' court or not) may impose a custodial sentence for the offence unless such a sentence was indicated in the indication of sentence referred to in section 20 above.
Subsection (1) above is subject to sections 15(4), 18(8) and 21(6) of the Sentencing Code.
Except as provided in subsection (1) above—
an indication of sentence shall not be binding on any court (whether a magistrates' court or not); and
no sentence may be challenged or be the subject of appeal in any court on the ground that it is not consistent with an indication of sentence.
Subject to section 20(7) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
asking the accused under section 20 above whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty; or
an indication by the accused under that section of how he would plead.
Where the court gives an indication of sentence under section 20 above, it shall cause each such indication to be entered in the register.
In this section and in section 20 above, references to a custodial sentence are to a custodial sentence within the meaning given by section 222 of the Sentencing Code, and references to a non-custodial sentence shall be construed accordingly.
Where on the summary trial of an information for an offence triable either way the court dismisses the information, the dismissal shall have the same effect as an acquittal on indictment.
Low-value shoplifting is triable only summarily.
But where a person accused of low-value shoplifting is aged 18 or over, and appears or is brought before the court before the summary trial of the offence begins, the court must give the person the opportunity of electing to be tried by the Crown Court for the offence and, if the person elects to be so tried—
subsection (1) does not apply, and
the court must proceed in relation to the offence in accordance with section 51(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
“Low-value shoplifting” means an offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 in circumstances where—
the value of the stolen goods does not exceed £200,
the goods were being offered for sale in a shop or any other premises, stall, vehicle or place from which there is carried on a trade or business, and
at the time of the offence, the person accused of low-value shoplifting was, or was purporting to be, a customer or potential customer of the person offering the goods for sale.
For the purposes of subsection (3)(a)—
the value of the stolen goods is the price at which they were being offered for sale at the time of the offence, and
where the accused is charged on the same occasion with two or more offences of low-value shoplifting, the reference to the value involved has effect as if it were a reference to the aggregate of the values involved.
A person guilty of low-value shoplifting is liable on summary conviction to—
imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before the commencement of section 281(4) and (5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003),
a fine, or
both.
A person convicted of low-value shoplifting by a magistrates' court may not appeal to the Crown Court against the conviction on the ground that the convicting court was mistaken as to whether the offence was one of low-value shoplifting.
For the purposes of this section, any reference to low-value shoplifting includes aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of low-value shoplifting.
This section applies where—
a person under the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates' court on an information charging him with an offence other than one falling within section 51A(12) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (“the 1998 Act”); and
but for the application of the following provisions of this section, the court would be required at that stage, by virtue of section 51(7) or (8) or 51A(3)(b), (4) or (5) of the 1998 Act to determine, in relation to the offence, whether to send the person to the Crown Court for trial (or to determine any matter, the effect of which would be to determine whether he is sent to the Crown Court for trial).
Where this section applies, the court shall, before proceeding to make any such determination as is referred to in subsection (1)(b) above (the “relevant determination”), follow the procedure set out in this section.
Everything that the court is required to do under the following provisions of this section must be done with the accused person in court.
The court shall cause the charge to be written down, if this has not already been done, and to be read to the accused.
The court shall then explain to the accused in ordinary language that he may indicate whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty, and that if he indicates that he would plead guilty—
the court must proceed as mentioned in subsection (7) below; and
(in cases where the offence is one mentioned in section 249(1)(a) or (b) of the Sentencing Code) he may be sent to the Crown Court for sentencing under section 16 , 16A or 17 of that Act if the court is of such opinion as is mentioned in section 16(1)(c) , 16A(1)(c) or (if applicable) section 17(1)(b).
The court shall then ask the accused whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty.
If the accused indicates that he would plead guilty, the court shall proceed as if— and, accordingly, the court shall not (and shall not be required to) proceed to make the relevant determination or to proceed further under section 51 or (as the case may be) section 51A of the 1998 Act in relation to the offence.
the proceedings constituted from the beginning the summary trial of the information; and
section 9(1) above was complied with and he pleaded guilty under it,
If the accused indicates that he would plead not guilty, the court shall proceed to make the relevant determination and this section shall cease to apply.
If the accused in fact fails to indicate how he would plead, for the purposes of this section he shall be taken to indicate that he would plead not guilty.
Subject to subsection (7) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
asking the accused under this section whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) he would plead guilty or not guilty;
an indication by the accused under this section of how he would plead.
This section shall have effect where—
a person under the age of 18 years appears or is brought before a magistrates' court on an information charging him with an offence other than one falling within section 51A(12) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
but for the application of the following provisions of this section, the court would be required at that stage to make one of the determinations referred to in paragraph (b) of section 24A(1) above (“the relevant determination”);
the accused is represented by a legal representative;
the court considers that by reason of the accused’s disorderly conduct before the court it is not practicable for proceedings under section 24A above to be conducted in his presence; and
the court considers that it should proceed in the absence of the accused.
In such a case—
the court shall cause the charge to be written down, if this has not already been done, and to be read to the representative;
the court shall ask the representative whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
if the representative indicates that the accused would plead guilty the court shall proceed as if the proceedings constituted from the beginning the summary trial of the information, and as if section 9(1) above was complied with and the accused pleaded guilty under it;
if the representative indicates that the accused would plead not guilty the court shall proceed to make the relevant determination and this section shall cease to apply.
If the representative in fact fails to indicate how the accused would plead, for the purposes of this section he shall be taken to indicate that the accused would plead not guilty.
Subject to subsection (2)(c) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
asking the representative under this section whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
an indication by the representative under this section of how the accused would plead.
A magistrates' court proceeding under section 24A or 24B above may adjourn the proceedings at any time, and on doing so on any occasion when the accused is present may remand the accused.
Where the court remands the accused, the time fixed for the resumption of proceedings shall be that at which he is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand or would be required to be brought before the court but for section 128(3A) below.
The functions of a magistrates' court under sections 24A to 24C above may be discharged by a single justice.
Subsection (1) above shall not be taken as authorising— by a magistrates' court composed of fewer than two justices.
the summary trial of an information (other than a summary trial by virtue of section 24A(7) or 24B(2)(c) above); or
the imposition of a sentence,
Where— subsection (2) below shall have effect notwithstanding proviso (a) in section 46(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (which would otherwise require the charge against the juvenile to be heard by a magistrates’ court other than a youth court). In the following provisions of this section “the older accused” means such one or more of the accused as have attained the age of 18 years.
a person under the age of 18 years (“the juvenile”) appears or is brought before a magistrates’ court other than a youth court on an information jointly charging him and one or more other persons with an offence; and
that other person, or any of those other persons, has attained that age,
If— then, if in either situation the juvenile pleads not guilty, the court may before any evidence is called in his case remit him for trial to a youth court acting for the same place as the remitting court or for the place where he habitually resides.
the court proceeds to the summary trial of the information in the case of both or all of the accused, and the older accused or each of the older accused pleads guilty; or
the court—
in the case of the older accused or each of the older accused, sends him to the Crown Court for trial under section 51 or 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and
in the case of the juvenile, proceeds to the summary trial of the information,
A person remitted to a youth court under subsection (2) above shall be brought before and tried by a youth court accordingly.
Where a person is so remitted to a youth court—
he shall have no right of appeal against the order of remission; and
the remitting court may , subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give such directions as appear to be necessary with respect to his custody or for his release on bail until he can be brought before the youth court.
The preceding provisions of this secion shall apply in relation to a corporation as if it were an individual who has attained the age of 18 years.
A magistrates' court may try a written charge in accordance with subsections (3) to (10) if—
the offence charged is a summary offence not punishable with imprisonment,
the accused had attained the age of 18 years when charged , or is not an individual,
the court is satisfied that—
the documents specified in subsection (2) have been served on the accused, and
service of all of the documents was effected at the same time, ...
the accused has not served on the designated officer specified in the single justice procedure notice, within the period prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules, a written notification stating either—
a desire to plead not guilty, or
a desire not to be tried in accordance with this section , and
the accused has not accepted the automatic online conviction option in respect of the offence.
The documents mentioned in subsection (1)(c) are—
a written charge and a single justice procedure notice (see section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003), and
such other documents as may be prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules (see section 29(3B) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003).
The court may not hear any oral evidence and may consider only the contents of the following—
the documents specified in subsection (2),
any document containing information to which subsection (4) applies, and
any written submission that the accused makes with a view to mitigation of sentence.
This subsection applies to information if—
a notice describing the information was served on the accused at the same time as the documents specified in subsection (2), and
a copy of the notice has been served on the designated officer specified in the single justice procedure notice.
The court may disregard a written submission that is not served on the designated officer specified in the single justice procedure notice within the period prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules.
The court is not required to conduct any part of the proceedings in open court.
The court may try the charge in the absence of the parties and, if a party appears, must proceed as if the party were absent.
If the accused served on the designated officer specified in the notice a written notification stating a desire to plead guilty and to be tried in accordance with this section, the court may try the charge as if the accused had pleaded guilty.
The court may not remand the accused.
If the resumed trial is to be conducted in accordance with subsections (3) to (9), no notice is required of the resumption of the trial after an adjournment.
A magistrates' court acting under this section may be composed of a single justice.
Any magistrates' court may try a written charge in accordance with subsections (3) to (10), whether or not its designated officer is specified in the single justice procedure notice.
Subsection (1) is subject to sections 16B and 16C.
If a magistrates' court decides, before the accused is convicted of the offence, that it is not appropriate to convict the accused in proceedings conducted in accordance with section 16A, the court may not try or continue to try the charge in that way.
A magistrates' court may not try a written charge in accordance with section 16A if, at any time before the trial, the accused or the accused's legal representative on the accused's behalf gives notice to the designated officer specified in the single justice procedure notice that the accused does not desire to be tried in accordance with section 16A.
If a magistrates' court may not try or continue to try a written charge in accordance with section 16A because the conditions in section 16A(1) are not satisfied or because of subsection (1) or (2), the magistrates' court dealing with the matter must—
adjourn the trial, if it has begun, and
issue a summons directed to the accused requiring the accused to appear before a magistrates' court for the trial of the written charge.
A magistrates' court issuing a summons under subsection (3)(b) may be composed of a single justice.
If a magistrates' court decides, after the accused is convicted of the offence, that it is not appropriate to try the written charge in accordance with section 16A, the court may not continue to try the charge in that way.
If a magistrates' court trying a written charge in accordance with section 16A proposes, after the accused is convicted of the offence, to order the accused to be disqualified under section 34 or 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988—
the court must give the accused the opportunity to make representations or further representations about the proposed disqualification, and
if the accused indicates a wish to make such representations, the court may not continue to try the case in accordance with section 16A.
If a magistrates' court may not continue to try a written charge in accordance with section 16A because of subsection (1) or (2), the magistrates' court must—
adjourn the trial, and
issue a summons directed to the accused requiring the accused to appear before a magistrates' court to be dealt with in respect of the offence.
If a summons is issued under section 16B(3)(b) or 16C(3)(b), a reference in sections 11 to 13 to a summons issued under section 1 is to be read, for the purposes of subsequent proceedings as regards the matter, as if it included a reference to a summons issued under section 16B(3)(b) or 16C(3)(b) (as the case may be).
If a summons has been issued under section 16B(3)(b) or 16C(3)(b), a justice of the peace may issue a summons directed to the accused requiring the accused to appear before a magistrates' court for the purpose specified in the earlier summons; and subsection (1) applies in relation to a summons under this section as it applies in relation to a summons under section 16B(3)(b) or 16C(3)(b).
Where a summons has been issued under section 16B(3)(b) or 16C(3)(b), a magistrates' court that afterwards tries the written charge or deals with the accused for the offence must be—
composed as described in section 121(1), or
composed of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) sitting alone by virtue of section 26 of the Courts Act 2003.
Where— that other magistrates' court is to be treated as if it were the court that convicted the accused for the purposes of section 142(2).
the accused is convicted of an offence before a matter is adjourned under section 16C(3)(a), and
the matter is tried after the adjournment by another magistrates' court,
This section applies if—
a single justice procedure notice has been issued, and
the written charge is being tried, or has been tried, in accordance with section 16A.
This section does not apply if the trial of the written charge has been adjourned under section 16B(3)(a) or 16C(3)(a).
The proceedings subsequent to the single justice procedure notice are void if—
the accused makes a statutory declaration that the accused did not know of the single justice procedure notice or the proceedings until a date that the accused specifies in the statutory declaration,
that date is a date after a magistrates' court began to try the written charge,
the declaration is served on the designated officer specified in the single justice procedure notice within 21 days of that date in such manner as Criminal Procedure Rules may prescribe, and
at the same time as serving the declaration, the accused responds to the single justice procedure notice by serving a written notification on that designated officer.
Subsection (3) does not affect the validity of a written charge or a single justice procedure notice.
A magistrates' court may accept service of a statutory declaration required by subsection (3) after the period described in subsection (3)(c) if, on application by the accused, it appears to the court that it was not reasonable to expect the accused to serve that statutory declaration within that period.
A magistrates' court that accepts a statutory declaration under subsection (5) is to be treated as accepting service of a written notification that is served at the same time.
A statutory declaration accepted under subsection (5) and a written notification treated as accepted under subsection (6) are to be treated as having been served as required by subsection (3).
If proceedings have become void under subsection (3), the reference in section 16A to the period within which a written notification must be served is to be read as referring to a period that ends on—
the date on which a written notification is served under subsection (3)(d), or
if a magistrates' court is treated as accepting service of a written notification by virtue of subsection (6), the date on which the written notification is so treated as accepted.
If proceedings have become void under subsection (3), the written charge may not be tried again by any of the same justices.
A magistrates' court carrying out functions under subsection (5) may be composed of a single justice.
A statement contained in a document is admissible in proceedings conducted in accordance with section 16A as evidence of a matter stated if, in the particular case—
the document is one in relation to which section 16A(1)(c) is satisfied, or
section 16A(4) applies to the information in that document (as the case may be).
Subsection (1) does not prevent a court taking into consideration the nature of the evidence placed before it when deciding whether it is appropriate to try the written charge in accordance with section 16A.
In this section “statement” means any representation of fact or opinion.
If, on the trial by a magistrates' court of an offence punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment, the court is satisfied that the accused did the act or made the omission charged but is of opinion that an inquiry ought to be made into his physical or mental condition before the method of dealing with him is determined, the court shall adjourn the case to enable a medical examination and report to be made and shall remand him; but the adjournment shall not be for more than 3 weeks at a time where the court remands him in custody nor for more than 4 weeks at a time where it remands him on bail.
Where on an adjournment under subsection (1) above the accused is remanded on bail, the court shall impose conditions under paragraph (d) of section 3(6) of the Bail Act 1976 and the requirements imposed as conditions under that paragraph shall be or shall include requirements that the accused—
undergo medical examination by a duly qualified medical practitioner or, where the inquiry is into his mental condition and the court so directs, two such practitioners; and
for that purpose attend such an institution or place,or on such practitioner, as the court directs and, where the inquiry is into his mental condition, comply with any other directions which may be given to him for that purpose by any person specified by the court or by a person of any class so specified.
The Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1973 shall apply to a duly qualified medical practitioner who makes a report otherwise than in writing for the purposes of this section as it applies to a person called to give evidence, and shall so apply notwithstanding that the proceedings for the purposes of which the report is made are not proceedings to which section 1 of that Act applies.
In this Act a reference to a person being offered the automatic online conviction option in respect of an offence is a reference to the person being given an electronic notification which explains that if the person intends to plead guilty the person may agree—
to be convicted of the offence under section 16H, and
to be penalised for the offence under section 16I.
In this Act a reference to a person accepting the automatic online conviction option in respect of an offence is a reference to the person giving an electronic notification which indicates that the person—
pleads guilty to the offence,
agrees to be convicted of the offence under section 16H, and
agrees to be penalised for the offence under section 16I.
A notification purporting to be given by a person (or the person’s legal representative) is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (2) as a notification given by that person.
In this section “electronic notification” means a written notification given—
by electronic means,
under such arrangements as are put in place by the Lord Chancellor for the purposes of this section and sections 16H to 16L, and
in accordance with such provision as may be made by Criminal Procedure Rules.
Subsection (2) applies to a person accused of an offence if—
the qualifying conditions are met, and
the person is offered, and accepts, the automatic online conviction option in respect of the offence.
The accused is convicted of the offence by virtue of accepting the automatic online conviction option.
For the purposes of this section the qualifying conditions are met if—
regulations made by the Lord Chancellor specify the offence as one for which the automatic online conviction option may be offered;
the accused had attained the age of 18 years when charged, or is not an individual;
the required documents have been served on the accused; and
service of all of the required documents was effected in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rules.
An offence may not be specified in regulations under subsection (3)(a) unless it is a summary offence that is not punishable with imprisonment.
Regulations under subsection (3)(a) are to be made by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument containing such regulations (whether alone or with other provision) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
In this section, “required documents” means—
a written charge,
a single justice procedure notice that complies with subsection (2D) of section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and
such other documents as may be prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules as described in subsection (3B) of that section.
This section applies if a person is convicted of an offence under section 16H.
The offender is liable to a fine of the amount specified for the offence.
The offender’s driving record is to be endorsed with the specified number of penalty points, and any other specified particulars, if the offence is specified as one to which such a penalty applies.
The offender is liable to pay compensation if the offence is specified as one in respect of which such a payment is to be made.
The amount of the compensation payable—
is to be determined by the relevant prosecutor who instituted proceedings for the offence;
must not exceed the maximum amount specified for the offence.
The offender is liable to pay prosecution costs.
The amount of the prosecution costs payable is to be determined by the relevant prosecutor who instituted proceedings for the offence.
The offender is liable to pay a surcharge of the amount specified for the offence.
In this section and section 16J—
Regulations under section 16I(2) may specify fines of different amounts—
for different offences;
for different circumstances in which a particular offence is committed.
Regulations under section 16I(3) may not specify an offence unless it is an offence that would or could result in the endorsement of the offender’s driving record with penalty points on conviction in a magistrates’ court.
Regulations under section 16I(5)(b) may specify different maximum amounts of compensation—
for different offences;
for different circumstances in which a particular offence is committed.
Regulations under section 16I(8) may specify different amounts of surcharge—
for different offences;
for different circumstances in which a particular offence is committed.
The power to make regulations under section 16I(8) includes power to specify the amount of the surcharge for a particular offence as a proportion of the amount of the fine specified for that offence.
Regulations under section 16I are to be made by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument containing such regulations (whether alone or with other provision) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
The time when a conviction under section 16H takes effect is to be determined in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rules.
A conviction under section 16H is to be treated as a conviction by the specified magistrates’ court.
A fine to which a person is liable under section 16I is to be treated as if it had been imposed by the specified magistrates’ court on conviction.
An endorsement of a person’s driving record under section 16I is to be treated as if the specified magistrates’ court had ordered the endorsement under section 44 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Compensation which a person is liable to pay under section 16I is to be treated as if the specified magistrates’ court had ordered it to be paid under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Sentencing Code.
Prosecution costs which a person is liable to pay under section 16I are to be treated as if the specified magistrates’ court had ordered them to be paid under section 18 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
A surcharge which a person is liable to pay under section 16I is to be treated as if the specified magistrates’ court had ordered it to be paid under section 42 of the Sentencing Code.
In this section, “specified magistrates’ court” means the magistrates’ court specified in the notice of conviction and penalty (see section 16L(2)(b)).
The Lord Chancellor must secure that a person who is convicted of an offence under section 16H is given a notice of conviction and penalty.
A notice of conviction and penalty is an electronic notification which—
sets out each penalty imposed on the offender under section 16I;
specifies a magistrates’ court for the purposes of section 16K;
requires the offender to pay the sums that the offender is liable to pay under section 16I—
within the relevant 28-day period, and
in the manner specified in the notice.
The relevant 28-day period is the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the person’s conviction took effect.
In this section—
A magistrates’ court may set aside a conviction under section 16H if it appears to the court that the conviction is unjust.
Subsection (1) does not affect the validity of a written charge or a single justice procedure notice.
A magistrates’ court carrying out functions under subsection (1) may be composed of a single justice.
But if a magistrates’ court composed of a single justice is minded to refuse to set aside a conviction—
the decision must instead be referred to a magistrates’ court that is not so composed; and
the parties must be given the opportunity to attend at, and make representations to, the magistrates’ court making that decision.
A magistrates’ court—
may set aside any penalty imposed on a person under section 16I if it appears to the court that the amount of that penalty is unjust; and
if it does so, may impose any sentence that it could have imposed for that offence if the person had pleaded guilty before it at the earliest opportunity.
The reference in subsection (5)(a) to the amount of a penalty is to be read, in relation to penalty points, as a reference to the number of penalty points imposed.
A magistrates’ court may exercise a power conferred by this section—
on an application by the person convicted,
on an application by the relevant prosecutor who initiated the proceedings, or
of its own motion.
In this section—
“penalty” and “penalty points” have the meanings given by section 16L(4);
any other sum expressed by this or any other Act to be so enforceable;
Without prejudice to section 133 below, a magistrates' court shall not have power to impose imprisonment for more than 6 months in respect of any one offence.
Unless expressly excluded, subsection (1) above shall apply even if the offence in question is one for which a person would otherwise be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for more than 6 months.
Any power of a magistrates' court to impose a term of imprisonment for non-payment of a fine, or for want of sufficient distress to satisfy a fine, shall not be limited by virtue of subsection (1) above.
In subsection (3) above "fine" includes a pecuniary penalty but does not include a pecuniary forfeiture or pecuniary compensation.
On summary conviction of any of the offences triable either way listed in Schedule 1 to this Act a person shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or to a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum or both, except that—
a magistrates’ court shall not have power to impose imprisonment for an offence so listed if the Crown Court would not have that power in the case of an adult convicted of it on indictment;
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For any offence triable either way which is not listed in Schedule 1 to this Act, being an offence under a relevant enactment, the maximum fine which may be imposed on summary conviction shall by virtue of this subsection be the prescribed sum unless the offence is one for which by virtue of an enactment other than this subsection a larger fine may be imposed on summary conviction.
Where, by virtue of any relevant enactment, a person summarily convicted of an offence triable either way would, apart from this section, be liable to a maximum fine of one amount in the case of a first conviction and of a different amount in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, subsection (2) above shall apply irrespective of whether the conviction is a first, second or subsequent one.
Subsection (2) above shall not affect so much of any enactment as (in whatever words) makes a person liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding a specified amount for each day on which a continuing offence is continued after conviction or the occurrence of any other specified event.
Subsection (2) above shall not apply on summary conviction of any of the following offences:—
offences under section 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (having possession of a controlled drug) where the controlled drug in relation to which the offence was committed was a Class B or Class C drug;
offences under the following provisions of that Act, where the controlled drug in relation to which the offence was committed was a Class C drug, namely—
section 4(2) (production, or being concerned in the production, of a controlled drug);
section 4(3) (supplying or offering a controlled drug or being concerned in the doing of either activity by another);
section 5(3) (having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it to another);
section 8 (being the occupier, or concerned in the management, of premises and permitting or suffering certain activities to take place there);
section 12(6) (contravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from possessing, supplying etc. controlled drugs); or
section 13(3) (contravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from prescribing, supplying etc. controlled drugs).
Where, as regards any offence triable either way, there is under any enactment (however framed or worded) a power by subordinate instrument to restrict the amount of the fine which on summary conviction can be imposed in respect of that offence—
subsection (2) above shall not affect that power or override any restriction imposed in the exercise of that power; and
the amount to which that fine may be restricted in the exercise of that power shall be any amount less than the maximum fine which could be imposed on summary conviction in respect of the offence apart from any restriction so imposed.
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the maximum fine which may in the exercise of that power be authorised on summary conviction in respect of an offence triable either way shall by virtue of this subsection be the prescribed sum unless some larger maximum fine can be authorised on summary conviction in respect of such an offence by virtue of an enactment other than this subsection ; and
subsection (2) above shall not override any restriction imposed in the exercise of that power on the amount of the fine which on summary conviction can be imposed in respect of an offence triable either way created in the exercise of the power.
In subsection (5) above “controlled drug”, “Class B drug” and “Class C drug” have the same meaning as in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
In this section—
a surcharge;
“relevant prosecutor” has the same meaning as in section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;
" relevant enactment" means an enactment contained in the Criminal Law Act 1977 or in any Act passed before, or in the same Session as, that Act.
Section 17.
Offences at common law of public nuisance.
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An offence at common law of outraging public decency.
Offences consisting in contravention of section 13 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 (administration by a person of an oath etc. touching matters in which he has no jurisdiction).
Offences under section 36 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861 (obstructing engines or carriages on railways).
Offences under the following provisions of the Offences against the Person Act 1861—
section 16 (threats to kill);
section 20 (inflicting bodily injury, with or without a weapon);
section 26 (not providing apprentices or servants with food etc.);
section 27 (abandoning or exposing child);
section 34 (doing or omitting to do anything so as to endanger railway passengers);
section 36 (assaulting a clergyman at a place of worship etc.);
section 38 (assault with intent to resist apprehension);
section 47 (assault occasioning bodily harm. . . );
section 57 (bigamy);
section 60 (concealing the birth of a child).
Offences under section 20 of the Telegraph Act 1868 (disclosing or intercepting messages).
Offences under section 13 of the Debtors Act 1869 (transactions intended to defraud creditors).
Offences under section 5 of the Public Stores Act 1875 (obliteration of marks with intent to conceal).
Offences under section 12 of the Corn Returns Act 1882 (false returns).
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Offences under section 3 of the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 (damaging submarine cables).
Offences under section 13 of the Stamp Duties Management Act 1891 (offences in relation to dies and stamps).
Offences under section 8(2) of the Cremation Act 1902 (making false representations etc. with a view to procuring the burning of any human remains).
All offences under the Perjury Act 1911 except offences under—
section 1 (perjury in judicial proceedings);
section 3 (false statements etc. with reference to marriage);
section 4 (false statements etc. as to births or deaths).
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offences under paragraph (c) of section 2(2) (forgery of valuable security etc.) in relation to—
any document being an accountable receipt, release, or discharge, or any receipt or other instrument evidencing the payment of money, or the delivery of any chattel personal; or
any document being an authority or request for the payment of money or for the delivery or transfer of goods and chattels, where the amount of money or the value of the goods or chattels does not exceed £1,000 ;
offences under section 4 (forgery of documents in general); and
offences under paragraph (a) of section 7 (demanding property on forged documents), where the amount of the money or the value of the property in respect of which the offence is committed does not exceed £1,000.
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Offences under section 8(2) of the Census Act 1920 (disclosing census information).
Offences under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (forgery of passports etc.).
Offences under section 11 of the Agricultural Credits Act 1928 (frauds by farmers).
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section 4(1) (defacing coins);
section 5(1) (uttering counterfeit coin);
section 5(2) (uttering counterfeit gold or silver coin);
section 5(3) (possession of counterfeit gold or silver coin);
section 5(4) (possession of counterfeit copper coin); (f) section 5(6) (uttering coins etc. as gold or silver coins);
section 7 (importing and exporting counterfeit coin);
section 8 (making, possessing or selling medals resembling gold or silver coin).
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section 53 (unlawfully taking away or opening mail bag);
section 55 (fraudulent retention of mail bag or postal packet);
section 57 (stealing, embezzlement, destruction etc. by officer of Post Office of postal packet);
section 58 (opening or delaying of postal packets by officers of the Post Office).
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section 6 (unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16);
section 13 (indecency between men);
section 26 (permitting a girl under 16 to use premises for sexual intercourse).
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The following offences under the Criminal Law Act 1967— where the offence to which they relate is triable either way.
offences under section 4(1) (assisting offenders); and
offences under section 5(1) (concealing arrestable offences and giving false information),
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All indictable offences under the Theft Act 1968 except:—
robbery, aggravated burglary, blackmail and assault with intent to rob;
burglary comprising the commission of, or an intention to commit, an offence which is triable only on indictment;
burglary in a dwelling if any person in the dwelling was subjected to violence or the threat of violence.
Offences under the following provisions of the Criminal Damage Act 1971— section 1(1) (destroying or damaging property); section 1(1) and (3) (arson); section 2 (threats to destroy or damage property); section 3 (possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property).
Offences in relation to stamps issued for the purpose of national insurance under the provisions of any enactments as applied to those stamps.
Uttering any forged document the forgery of which is an offence listed in this Schedule.
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Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of any offence listed in the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule except paragraph 26.
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Section 22. Offence Value involved How measured 1. Offences under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (destroying or damaging property), excluding — As regards property alleged to have been destroyed, its value. What the property would probably have cost to buy in the open market at the material time. (a) any offence committed by destroying or damaging property by fire, and (b) any offence committed by destroying or damaging a memorial (see section 22(11A) to (11D)). As regards property alleged to have been damaged, the value of the alleged damage. (a) If immediately after the material time the damage was capable of repair— (i) what would probably then have been the market price for the repair of the damage, or (ii) what the property alleged to have been damaged would probably have cost to buy in the open market at the material time, whichever is the less; or (b) if immediately after the material time the damage was beyond repair, what the said property would probably have cost to buy in the open market at the material time. 2. The following offences, namely— The value indicated in paragraph 1 above for the offence alleged to have been aided, abetted, counselled or procured, or attempted or incited. As for the corresponding entry in paragraph 1 above. (a) aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of any offence mentioned in paragraph 1 above; (b) attempting to commit any offence so mentioned; and (c) inciting another to commit any offence so mentioned. 3. Offences under section 12A of the Theft Act 1968 (aggravated vehicle-taking) where no allegation is made under subsection (1)(b) other than of damage, whether to the vehicle or other property or both. The total value of the damage alleged to have been caused. (1) In the case of damage to any property other than the vehicle involved in the offence, as for the corresponding entry in paragraph 1 above, substituting a reference to the time of the accident concerned for any reference to the material time. (2) In the case of damage to the vehicle involved in the offence — (a) if immediately after the vehicle was recovered the damage was capable of repair— (i) what would probably then have been the market price for the repair of the damage, or (ii) what the vehicle would probably have cost to buy in the open market immediately before it was unlawfully taken, whichever is the less; or (b) if immediately after the vehicle was recovered the damage was beyond repair, what the vehicle would probably have cost to buy in the open market immediately before it was unlawfully taken.
Section 46.
A magistrates’ court may commit a corporation for trial by an order in writing empowering the prosecutor to prefer a bill of indictment in respect of the offence named in the order. An order under this paragraph shall not prohibit the inclusion in the bill of indictment of counts that under section 2 of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 may be included in the bill in substitution for, or in addition to, counts charging the offence named in the order.
A representative may on behalf of a corporation—
make before examining justices such representations as could be made by an accused who is not a corporation;
consent to the corporation being tried summarily;
enter a plea of guilty or not guilty on the trial by a magistrates’ court of an information.
Where a representative appears, any requirement of this Act that anything shall be done in the presence of the accused, or shall be read or said to the accused, shall be construed as a requirement that that thing shall be done in the presence of the representative or read or said to the representative. Where a representative does not appear, any such requirement, and any requirement that the consent of the accused shall be obtained for summary trial, shall not apply.
Notification or intimation for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) of section 12 above may be given on behalf of a corporation by a director or the secretary of the corporation; and those subsections shall apply in relation to a notification or intimation purporting to be so given as they apply to a notification or intimation purporting to be given by an individual accused. In this paragraph “director”, in relation to a corporation which is established by or under any enactment for the purpose of carrying on under national ownership any industry or part of an industry or undertaking and whose affairs are managed by the members thereof, means a member of that corporation.
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Subject to the preceding provisions of this Schedule, the provisions of this Act relating to the trial of indictable offences shall apply to a corporation as they apply to an adult.
Where a corporation and an individual who has attained the age of 17 are jointly charged before a magistrates’ court with an offence triable either way, the court shall not try either of the accused summarily unless each of them consents to be so tried.
Subsection (6) of section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 shall apply to a representative for the purposes of this Schedule as it applies to a representative for the purposes of that section.
Section 76.
Subject to the following provisions of this Schedule, the periods set out in the second column of the following Table shall be the maximum periods applicable respectively to the amounts set out opposite thereto, being amounts due at the time the imprisonment or detention is imposed. An amount not exceeding £200 7 days An amount exceeding £200 but not exceeding £500 14 days An amount exceeding £500 but not exceeding £1,000 28 days An amount exceeding £1,000 but not exceeding £2,500 45 days An amount exceeding £2,500 but not exceeding £5,000 3 months An amount exceeding £5,000 but not exceeding £10,000 6 months An amount exceeding £10,000 12 months
Where the amount due at the time imprisonment or detention is imposed is so much of a sum adjudged to be paid by a summary conviction as remains due after part payment, then, subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the maximum period applicable to the amount shall be the period applicable to the whole sum reduced by such number of days as bears to the total number of days therein the same proportion as the part paid bears to the whole sum. In calculating the reduction required under sub-paragraph (1) above any fraction of a day shall be left out of account and the maximum period shall not be reduced to less than seven days.
The maximum period applicable to a sum of any amount enforceable as a civil debt shall be 6 weeks.
Section 130.
A court which, on adjourning a case, makes an order under section 130(1) of this Act is not required at that time to fix the time and place at which the case is to be resumed but shall do so as soon as practicable after the order ceases to be in force.
Where an order under subsection (1) of section 130 of this Act is made in the course of proceedings which, for the purposes of section 8 of this Act, are committal proceedings, proceedings relating to the accused before the alternate court are also committal proceedings for those purposes.
A court making an order under subsection (1) of section 130 of this Act or remanding the accused under subsection (4) shall at once notify the terms of the order or remand to the court before which the accused is to be brought for the hearing on any application for a subsequent remand or, as the case may be, before which any such application is to be made without his being brought before it
A person to whom an order under section 130(1) of this Act applies shall, if released on bail, be bailed to appear before the court which made the order.
Section 130 of this Act and this Schedule have effect notwithstanding anything in sections 10, 17C, 18(4) or 24C of this Act.
£ ATTENDANCE On a justice, to view deserted premises in order to affix notice or to give possession thereof, or to view a highway, bridge or nuisance 44.00 CASE FOR THE OPINION OF HIGH COURT (s. 111 of this Act) Drawing case, copies, taking recognizance as required by s. 114 of this Act and enlargements and renewals thereof (composite fee), where the application to state a case is made on or after 1st April 1992 382.00 Certificate of refusal of case, where the application is so made 8.00 CERTIFICATE Every certificate not otherwise charged 8.00 CHILD SUPPORT ACT 1991 Application for a liability order (each child) 0.70 NOTE: This fee is payable on the making of the application. Paternity application (each child) (sections 20 and 27 of the Act ) 30.00 Appeal against a deduction from earnings order 10.00 Complaint or application and summons 10.00 Warrant of arrest 10.00 Commitment order 40.00 NOTE: The fee for a commitment order is payable on the making of the order. COMMUNITY CHARGE/COUNCIL TAX/RATES Orders Application for a liability order (each defendant) 0.70 NOTE: This fee is payable on the making of the application. Commitment Complaint (or application) and summons 10.00 Warrant of arrest 10.00 Commitment order 40.00 NOTE: The fee for a commitment order is payable on the making of the order. COPY First photocopy or 90 word folio of any document 1.10 Each folio of succeeding 90 words 0.55 Each additional photocopy 0.10 NOTE: No fee shall be charged in pursuance hereof for a copy of a summons, of an order or of a warrant in a case in which, as hereafter provided, a fee is authorised for the summons, the order or, as the case may be, the warrant and a copy thereof. For the purposes hereof, a reference to a photocopy includes a reference to any other facsimile copy, however made. DUPLICATE For the duplicate of any document 5.00 FAMILY PROCEEDINGS Applications under Parts I or II of the Children Act 1989 , section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, Part I of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 , except under section 16 of that Act for the protection of a spouse or child from violence, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, except under section 23 of that Act and all applications for financial orders (excluding applications to vary or discharge such orders or in respect of claims for maintenance or maintenance orders made to the benefit of, or against, a person residing outside the United Kingdom) 30.00 Applications under section 31 (care or supervision order), 36 (education supervision order) or 43 (child assessment order) of the Children Act 1989 50.00 Applications (a)to vary, extend or discharge an order; (b)for contact or refusal of contact with a child in care, to change a child’s surname or remove the child from the jurisdiction; and (c) section 23 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 20.00 Applications under Part XA (affecting the registration of a child minder or day carer including appeals against cancellation or varying the conditions of the registration) of, and paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 8 (appeals concerning foster parenting) to, the Children Act 1989 50.00 NOTE: When an application requires the leave of the court, the relevant fee applies where leave is sought but no further fee may be charged if leave is granted and the application is made. LICENCES For every licence, consent or authority not otherwise provided for, to include registration when necessary 8.00 Application for the revocation of a licence not otherwise provided for 30.00 OATHS Attestation of constable 8.00 Every oath, affirmation or solemn declaration not otherwise charged (no fee is payable for the swearing in of witnesses in civil proceedings or in any case where an Act of Parliament directs that no fee shall be taken) 8.00 OTHER CIVIL PROCEEDINGS Complaint or application 3.50 Summons and copy 3.50 Order and copy 16.50 Warrant and copy 6.50 WARRANT OF ENTRY Application for a warrant of entry 2.25 NOTE: Nothing in this Part shall be construed as authorising— the collection of any fee from any person who is receiving services funded by the Legal Services Commission as part of the Community Legal Service or is in receipt of income support under section 124 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance (payable under the Jobseekers Act 1995),of guarantee state pension credit (under section 1(3)(a) of the State Pension Credit Act 2002, of any element of child tax credit other than the family element or of working tax credit; or where, in family proceedings, a fee is payable, as herebefore provided, in respect of an application for any order, the demand of a fee in respect of any action which may subsequently be taken in relation to the enforcement of the order in question. Only one fee is payable where more than one document is issued in relation to a partnership. Nothing in this Part shall be construed as authorising the collection of any fee from any person in respect of any stage in binding over proceedings. For the purpose of this Part, “binding over proceedings” means any proceedings instituted (whether by way of complaint under section 115 of this Act or otherwise) with a view to obtaining from a magistrates’ court an order requiring a person to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour.
Any summons, warrant, notice or order issued, given or made under section 83(1) or (2), 88, 89 or 136 of this Act, or section 104 of the General Rate Act 1967, or under any rule made for the purposes of those provisions.
Any criminal matter, but this paragraph shall not prevent the charging of a fee for supplying, for use in connection with a matter which is not a criminal matter, a copy of a document prepared for use in connection with a criminal matter.
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Section 154
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In section 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1867 for “section forty-one of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 105 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section fifteen of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949” substitute “ section 144 of that Act ”.
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In section 46(1A) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 for “section I of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1957” substitute “ section 12 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 27(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1948 for “section 105(5) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 128(7) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 21 of the Pharmacy Act 1954 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980”.
In section 153(a) of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 for “section thirty-five of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 44 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In sections 187(4) and 215(9) of the Army Act 1955 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In sections 187(4) and 215(9) of the Air Force Act 1955 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 117(1) of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 for "the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 1(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Appeals from Binding Over Orders) Act 1956 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 37(7) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956—
in paragraph (a) for “section 6 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969” substitute “ section 24 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”;
in paragraph (b) for “subsection (5) of section ninety-eight of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ subsection (5) of section 121 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in sub-paragraph (ii) in the second column of each paragraph, for " section 16(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 " substitute " section 17(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in the third column of each paragraph, for " section 28(1) of that Act" substitute " section 32(1) of that Act ".
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In section 5(5) of the Affiliation Proccediings Act 1957 for “section fifty-two of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 59 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 6A of the Affiliation Proceedings Act 1957—
in subsection (1) for “section 53 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 60 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”;
in subsection (2) for the “said section 53” substitute “ the said section 60 ”;
in subsection (5) for “section 63 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 75 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”
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in subsection (1) for " subsection (2) of section sixty-five of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " subsection (2) of section 77 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (6) for " section sixty-seven of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 79 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 9(2) and (4) of the Adoption Act 1958 for “section fifteen of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949” substitute “ section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 48 of the Adoption Act 1958 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 72(6)(b) of the Mental Health Act 1959 for " subsection (3) of section ninety-one of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " subsection (3) of section 115 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 77(3) of the Mental Health Act 1959 for " section one hundred and five of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 128 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 13(5) of the Administration of Justice Act 1960, in paragraph (c) for “subsection (3) of section fifty-four of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ subsection (3) of section 63 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”, and in the words following paragraph (c) for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 3(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 for " section one hundred and eight of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 133 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 4(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 for " subsection (3) of section fourteen of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " subsection (3) of section 10 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 5(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 for " Part III of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " Part III of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 12(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 for " subsection (3) of section fourteen of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " subsection (3) of section 10 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 23(2) of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 28 of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964—
in subsection (1) for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in subsection (2) for “the said section 104” substitute “ the said section 127(1) ”.
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in paragraph 16(2), for " subsections (1) and (3) of section 77 and section 98 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " subsections (1) and (3) of section 97 and section 121 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in paragraph 18, for the words from " section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 " to the end substitute " section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, shall have effect subject to any rules so made and to any rules made under section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 (which was re-enacted in the said section 144) after 3rd August 1961 ".
In section 38(1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1964 for “section 28 or 29 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 37 or 38 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (1) for " section 72A of the Magistrates Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 90 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 " and for " the said Act of 1952 " substitute " the said Act of 1980 ";
in subsection (2) for " section 72A of the Magistrates Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 90 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 21(4) of the Gas Act 1965 for “section 35 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 44 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 8 of the Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965 for “section 77 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 97 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 98 of the General Rate Act 1967 for " the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 104(2) of the General Rate Act 1967 for "section 15 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 13 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 107(1) of the General Rate Act 1967 for " section 122(3) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 145(3) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 2(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967 for “section 29 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 33 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”, for “subsection (2) of section 23 of the said Act of 1977” substitute “ subsection (2) of section 22 of the sadi Act of 1980 ” and for “the said section 23” substitute “ the said section 22 ”.
In section 11(4) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 for “section 115 of the Magistrates’Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 140 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 for “section 2 of this Act” substitute “ section 102 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 11(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 for “section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949” substitute “ section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 36(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (2) for " sections 28 and 29 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " sections 37 and 38 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (6) for " section 28 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 37 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 62(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 for “section 29 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 38 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 90(2) and (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980”.
In section 49(3) of the Companies Act 1967 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 1 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968—
in subsection (1) insert at the beginning “ Subject to subsection (3) below ” ;
insert after subsection (2)—.
In section 51(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In Part II of Schedule 6 to the Firearms Act 1968, in paragraph 3—
in sub-paragraph (1) for “Schedule 3 to the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ Schedule 1 to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in sub-paragraph (2) for “sections 19 to 24 of the said Act of 1977” substitute “ sections 18 to 23 of the said Act of 1980 ” ;
in sub-paragraph (3) for “the said sections 19 to 24” substitute “ the said sections 18 to 23 ” and for “section 25(3) and (4) of the said Act of 1977” substitute “ section 25(3) and (4) of the said Act of 1980 ”.
In section 19(2) and 40(1)(a) of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 125(1) of the Medicines Act 1968 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 12(3) of the Sea Fisheries Act 1968 for “Sections 65(1) and 66 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Sections 77(1) and 78 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (4) for " subsections (3) and (4) of section 47 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " subsections (3) and (4) of section 55 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (6) for " Section 77 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " Section 97 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (13) for " section 96 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 120 of the Magistrates* Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 8(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 for “Subsections (2) and (4) of section 40 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Subsections (2) and (4) of section 49 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (4) for " section 28 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 37 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (5) for " section 105(5) of the said Act of 1952 " substitute " section 128(7) of the said Act of 1980 ".
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In Schedule 4 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, in paragraph 5(1), for “section 28(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 37(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In Schedule 5 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, in paragraph 55, for “sections 2 and 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967” substitute “ section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 and section 102 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 41(8) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 for “section 64 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 76 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to that Act” substitute “ paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to that Act ”.
In Schedule 1 to the Administration of Justice Act 1970 for “section 54(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 63(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 56(2) and (7) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 for “subsections (1), (3) and (4) of section 77 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each place, “ subsections (1), (3) and (4) of section 97 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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for " section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 " substitute " section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
for "section 55(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 64(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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for " section 1(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1957" substitute " section 12(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
for "section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949" substitute " section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
for " the said section 1(2)" substitute " the said section 12(2) ".
In section 7(2) of the Courts Act 1971 for “subsection (1) above” substitute “ section 7 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
In section 13 of the Courts Act 1971—
in subsection (5)(e) for “sections 94 and 95 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ sections 118 and 119 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in subsection (8) for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 52(5) of the Courts Act 1971 for “section 55 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 64 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 3 of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971—
in subsection (1)(c) for “section 52(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 59(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
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In section 8(3) of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 for “section 65(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 77(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 17(3)(e) of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 for “Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 19 of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971—
in subsection (4) for “section 43 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 51 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in subsection (5) for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 25 of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971—
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in subsection (6) for “Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 25(4) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 26(1) of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 6(2) of the Immigration Act 1971 for “section 14(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 10(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (9) for " section 52 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 59 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (10) for " section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949" substitute " section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 41 of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972—
in subsections (1), (2A) and (2B) for “section 53 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952" substitute, in each case, “section 60 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980" ;
in subsection (2A) for “section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949" substitute “section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980" ;
in subsection (2B) for “section 47(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952" substitute “section 55(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980".
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In Part I of Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic Act 1972, in column 4 of the entries relating to section 2 and section 99(b), for " section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 " substitute, in each case, " section 32 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 46 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972—
in subsection (1) for the words from “Sections 2” to “those sections)” substitute “ Section 102 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (which respectively allow written statements to be used as evidence in committal proceedings and in other criminal proceedings) and section 106 of the said Act of 1980 and section 89 of the said Act of 1967 (which punish the making of false statements which are tendered in evidence under the said section 102 or 9, as the case may be) ” ;
in subsection (2) for “The said section 2” substitute “ The said section 102 ”.
In section 49(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 for “Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 129(2) and (4) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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in subsection (2) for " section 67(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 79(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ", for "section 44(10) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 " substitute " section 85(1) of that Act " and for " Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " Schedule 4 to that Act ";
in subsection (4) for " section 44(10) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 or section 96 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 85(1) or 120 of the Magistrates* Courts Act 1980 " and for " and section 44(10) " substitute " and section 85(1) ".
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In section 6(2) of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”
In sections 38(6) and 43(3) of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 for “section 35 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “ section 44 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”
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In section 30(11) of the Legal Aid Act 1974 for "section 91 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 115 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 40(1) of the Legal Aid Act 1974 for " section 28 or 29 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " section 37 or 38 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In Schedule 3 to the Legal Aid Act 1974—
in paragraph 2 for " section 63 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 75 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in paragraph 3 for " Sections 74 (complaint for arrears), 75 (effect of committal on arrears) and 76 (power to remit arrears) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " Sections 93 (complaint for arrears), 94 (effect of committal on arrears) and 95 (power to remit arrears) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in paragraph 4 for "section 55 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 64 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in paragraph 6 for " Section 68 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " Section 80 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 87(3) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for “section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In sections 26, 42(2) and 44(4) of the Solicitors Act 1974 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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for " section 1(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1957 " substitute " section 12(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
for " section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 " substitute " section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
In section 397(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 for “section 72A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 90 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 403 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975—
in subsection (4) for “section 72A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 90 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”, for “the said Act of 1952” (in the first place where the words occur) substitute “ the said Act of 1980 ” and for “the Table set out in paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the said Act of 1952” substitute “ the Table set out in paragraph I of Schedule 4 to the said Act of 1980 ” ;
in subsection (6) for “section 72A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 90 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 46(4) of the Children Act 1975 for “section 55(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 64(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 12(3) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 for “Section 38 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Section 43 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In sections 39(2) and 41(5) and (7) of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 for “section 104 of the Magistrates" Courts Act 1952” substitute, in each case, “ section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 4(7) of the Bail Act 1976 for “section 8 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “section 41 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980”.
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In section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 for “section 6(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969” substitute “ section 24(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 28(8) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 for “Schedule 3 to this Act” substitute “ Schedule I to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 38(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 for “subsection (4) of section 102 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ subsection (3) of section 125 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 64(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 for “section 23 above” substitute “ section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (cases where value involved is small) ”.
In section 65(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 for “14” substitute “ 15 ” and for “Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 to the Criminal Law Act 1977—
in subparagraph (1)(b), for “subparagraph (2)(b) below” substitute “ subparagraph (IA) below ” ;
after subparagraph (1) insert—.
In paragraph 1 of Schedule 14 to the Criminal Law Act 1977 for “14 to 26, 34 and 35” substitute “ 15 and 17 ”.
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In section 16(8) of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 for “Part II of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “Part 11 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980”.
In section 22 of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 for “section 63 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 75 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 23 of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978—
in subsection (1) for “section 55(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 64(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in subsection (2) for “section 53 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 60 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section 54(2) of that Act” substitute “ section 63(2) of that Act ”.
In section 24(3) of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 for “section 47(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 55(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 88(1) of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 for “section 56 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 65 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949” substitute “ section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978—
in paragraph (a) of the definition of “committed for trial” for “section 7 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 6 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in paragraph (a) of the definition of “magistrates’ court” for “section 124 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 148 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in the entry about expressions relating to offences for “section 23 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”
In section 4(3)(b) of the Theft Act 1978 for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 6(3)(b) of the Protection of Children Act 1978 for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 147(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 for “section 25(3) of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 25(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”
In section 151 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 for “section 114 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 139 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 171(2)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 61(1) of that Act)” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 143(1) of that Act) ”.
In section 15(3)(a) of the Customs and Excise (General Reliefs) Act 1979 for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 61(1) of that Act)” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 143 (1) of that Act) ”.
In section 49(1) of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 in the definition of “the prescribed sum”, for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 61(1) of that Act)” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 143(1) of that Act) ”.
In section 27(1) of the Hydrocarbon Oils Duties Act 1979 in the definition of “prescribed sum”, for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 61(1) of that Act)” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted under section 143(1) of that Act) ”.
In section 6(1) of the Agricultural Statistics Act 1979, in the definition of “the prescribed sum”, for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 6(1) of that Act)” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 143(1) of that Act) ”.
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In section 42(4) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979 for “Section 18 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ Section 127(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
In section 43(5) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979 for “subsection (1) of section 61 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ subsection (1) of section 143 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section 28 of that Act” substitute “ section 32 of that Act ”.
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in subsection (1) for " the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952" substitute " the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ";
in subsection (5) for " section 56 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 " substitute " section 65 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 ".
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In section 5 of the Isle of Man Act 1979—
in subsection (2)(a) for “section 77 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ section 97 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” ;
in subsection (3)(a) for “sections 2 and 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967” substitute “ section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 and section 102 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section 2” substitute “ section 102 ”.
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In section 4(2) of the Residential Homes Act 1980 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In paragraph 2(4) of Schedule 5 to the Reserve Forces Act 1980 for “the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952” substitute “ the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ”.
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In section 87(1) of the Companies Act 1980, in the definition of “the statutory maximum”, for “section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977” substitute “ section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 ” and for “section 61 of that Act” substitute “ section 143 of that Act. ”.
Section 154.
In this Schedule references to the old enactments are to enactments repealed or amended by this Act and references to the appointed day are to the day on which this Act comes into force.
Where proceedings were commenced before the appointed day, the old enactments relating to the proceedings continue to apply and nothing in this Act affects those enactments. Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1) above, the old enactments relating to proceedings which continue in force by virtue of it include any provision of those enactments which creates an offence, which relates to civil or criminal procedure, which relates to the punishment for an offence, or which relates to enforcing, appealing against, questioning, varying or rescinding anything ordered or done in the proceedings.
This paragraph applies where proceedings are commenced under this Act in relation to an offence committed before the appointed day. Nothing in this Act renders a person liable to punishment by way of fine or imprisonment for the offence which differs from the punishment to which he would have been liable if this Act had not been passed and proceedings for the offence had been commenced under the old enactments. Nothing in this Act renders a person liable to pay compensation under a compensation order in respect of the offence which differs from the compensation he would have been liable to pay if this Act had not been passed and proceedings for the offence had been commenced under the old enactments. The provisions of this Act corresponding to the old enactments relating to punishment and compensation are to be construed accordingly.
Paragraphs 5 and 6 below have effect subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 above.
Without prejudice to any express amendment made by this Act, a reference in an enactment or other document, whether express or implied, to an enactment repealed by this Act shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as, or as including, a reference to this Act or to the corresponding provision of this Act.
Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed by this Act is current at the commencement of this Act, this Act shall have effect as if the corresponding provision of it had been in force when that period began to run.
This paragraph applies where any provision of an old enactment— In that case, an order under section 155(7) of this Act may make corresponding transitional provision in connection with any provision of this Act corresponding to that of the old enactment.
Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952, the amendments made in other enactments (“the amended enactments”) by that Act shall, to the extent that they had effect immediately before the coming into force of this Act, continue to have effect subject to any amendment of any of the amended enactments by this Act.
The provisions of this Act shall have effect without prejudice to the exercise of any power conferred by section 67 of the Local Government Act 1972 (consequential and transitional arrangements relating to Part IV), section 252 of that Act (general power to adapt Acts and instruments) or section 254 of that Act (consequential and supplementary provision); and any such power which, if this Act had not been passed, would have been exercisable in relation to an enactment repealed by this Act shall be exercisable in the like manner and to the like extent in relation to the corresponding provision (if any) of this Act.
This paragraph applies to Schedule 7B to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975, which was inserted by paragraph 12 of Schedule 11 to the Criminal Law Act 1977 and takes the same form as Schedule 5 to that Act (subject to certain modifications specified in that paragraph). Schedule 7B is not affected by—
Section 154. Chapter. Short title Extent of repeal 12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 101. Justices of the Peace Act 1949. Section 15(1), (2), (3), (7), (8) and (9). 15 & 16 Geo. 6 & 1 Eliz. 2. c. 55. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952. The whole Act. 5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 29. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1957. The whole Act. 6 & 7 Eliz. 2. c. 39. Maintenance Orders Act 1958. Section 16. Section 20(6). 7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 72. Mental Health Act 1959. In Schedule 7, in Part I, the entry relating to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952. 7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 73. Legitmacy Act 1959. Section 5(2). 9 & 10 Eliz. 2. c. 39. Criminal Justice Act 1961. In subsection 1(5) the words “and subsections (2) and (3) of section twenty-eight of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952”. Section 8(3). In section 41(4), the words “section twenty-eight of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952”. In Schedule 4, the entries relating to sections 28 and 126 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952. In Schedule 6, the text of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952, section 28. 1963 c. 37. Children and Young Persons Act 1963. Section 27. 1964 c. 42. Administration of Justice Act 1964. Section 11. In Schedule 3, paragraphs 20(2) and 22(3) and (5). 1965 c. 69. Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965. In Schedule 2, in Part I, the entry relating to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952. 1967 c. 80. Criminal Justice Act 1967. Sections 1 to 6. Section 19. In section 20, the words “or section 28 or 29 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952 (committal for sentence)”. Section 24. Section 26. Sections 28 to 30. In section 33, the words from the beginning to “that section and”. In section 36(1), the definitions of “broadcast” and “publish”. Section 44, 44A and 45. In section 50, the words from the beginning to “Part of that Act”. Section 56(4). In section 89(1), the words “2 or”. In section 90(1) the words “an order under section 44(8) or”. Section 94. In section 106(2)(b), the figure “3”. In Schedule 6, paragraphs 9 to 13 and 17 to 20. 1968 c. 69. Justices of the Peace Act 1968. In Schedule 3, paragraph 8. 1969 c. 54. Children and Young Persons Act 1969. Section 6. Section 10(3). Section 61. In Schedule 4, paragraph 4. 1970 c. 31. Adminstration of Justice Act 1970. Section 12. In section 28(1), the definition of “the Act of 1952” and “magistrates’ court maintenance order”. Section 30(1) and (2) as respects section 12. Section 41(6). Section 42. Section 50. In section 51, subsection (1), and in subsection (3) the defintion of “the Act of 1952”. 1971 c. 23. Courts Act 1971. Section 7(1). In Schedule 8, paragraph 34, in paragraph 48(b) in the words “56(4)(6)” the word “4”, and paragraph 52. In Schedule 9, in Part I, the entry relating to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952. 1972 c. 18. Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972. Section 22(2)(b). 1972 c. 70. Local Government Act 1972. In Schedule 27, paragraph 16. 1972 c. 71. Criminal Justice Act 1972. Section 41. Sections 44 and 45. Section 50. In Schedule 5, the entries relating to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952 and the entry relating to section 691) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969. 1973 c. 14. Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1973. In Schedule 1, paragraph 1. 1973 c. 29. Guardianship Act 1973. Section 9(2)(b). 1973 c. 38. Social Security Act 1973. In Schedule 27, in paragraph 85, the words “and 12(2)(b)” and “(in each place)”. 1973 c. 62. Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973. Section 35(5). In Schedule 5, paragraphs 4, 5, 7, 16 and 34. 1974 c. 4. Legal Aid Act 1974. In Schedule 4, paragrah 3. 1975 c. 21. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975. Section 326(2). In section 463(1)(b), the words “Section 326(2)”. 1976 c. 63. Bail Act 1976. In Schedule 2, paragraphs 14 to 29 and 35. 1977 c. 45. Criminal Law Act 1977. Section 14. In section 15, in subsection (1), paragraph (b) and the word “and” immediately preceeding it, and in subsection (3) paragraph (a). Section 16. Sections 18 to 27. In section 28, subsections (1) to (7) and in subsection (8) the words from “and subsection (2) above” to the end. Section 29. Section 30(4). Section 32(2). Sections 34 and 35. In section 36, subsections (2) to (8) and in subsection (9) the definitions of “guardian” and “the statutory restrictions upon the imprisonment of young offenders”. Sections 41 and 42. Section 45. In section 58, subsections (1), (4) and (6). Sections 59 to 61. In section 63(2), in the entry relating to section 65(4) and Schedule 12 so far as they relate to the Criminal Justice Act 1967, the words “3 and”. In section 65(10)(e) the words from “and the provisions” to “all such places (except Scotland)”. Schedule 2. Schedule 3. Schedule 4. In Schedule 5, paragraph 1(2)(a) and (b). In Schedule 7, paragraph 1. Schedule 8. In Schedule 12, the entries relating to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1952, the entries relating to sections 3, 24, 44(5) and 44A of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, and paragraphs 2 and 3 of the entries relating to the Criminal Justice Act 1972. In Schedule 14, paragraph 2, in paragraph 3(1) the words “or 2”, paragraph 4, and in paragraph 5 the words “(other than section 29 or any provision mentioned in paragraph 4 above)”. 1978 c. 22. Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978. Sections 75 to 85. In Schedule 1, in paragraph 5 the words “or in any of sections 79 to 82”, paragraph 6 and paragraph 7. In Schedule 2, paragraphs 15 and 21. 1978 c. 37. Protection of Children Act 1978. Section 2(2). 1979 c. 55. Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In Schedule 2, paragraphs 7 to 9 and paragraph 14. 1980 c. 5. Child Care Act 1980. In Schedule 5, paragraph 5. 1980 c. 11. Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980. In section 8(5), the words from “together with” to the end.
Section 85 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (removal of limit on certain fines on conviction by magistrates’ court) makes provision that affects the application of this section.
Where in pursuance of subsection (2) of section 22 above a magistrates’ court proceeds to the summary trial of an information, then, if the accused is summarily convicted of the offence—
subject to subsection (3) below the court shall not have power to impose on him in respect of that offence imprisonment for more than 3 months or a fine greater than level 4 on the standard scale; and
section 3 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 shall not apply as regards that offence.
In subsection (1) above “fine” includes a pecuniary penalty but does not include a pecuniary forfeiture or pecuniary compensation.
Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above does not apply to an offence under section 12A of the Theft Act 1968 (aggravated vehicle-taking).
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Where under any enactment whether passed before or after the commencement of this Act a magistrates' court has power to sentence an offender to imprisonment for a period specified by the enactment, or to a fine of an amount specified by the enactment, then, except where an Act passed after 31st December 1879 expressly provides to the contrary, the court may sentence him to imprisonment for less than that period or, as the case may be, to a fine of less than that amount.
Where under any such enactment an offender sentenced on summary conviction to imprisonment or a fine is required to enter into a recognizance with or without sureties to keep the peace or observe any other condition, the court convicting him may dispense with or modify the requirement.
Where under any such enactment a magistrates' court has power to sentence an offender to imprisonment or other detention but not to a fine, then, except where an Act passed after 31st December 1879 expressly provides to the contrary, the court may, instead of sentencing him to imprisonment or other detention, impose a fine which—
for an offence triable either way, shall not exceed the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 32 above; and
for a summary offence, shall—
not exceed £200 ; and
not be of such an amount as would subject the offender, in default of payment of the fine, to a longer term of imprisonment or detention than the term to which he is liable on conviction of the offence.
Where a person under 17 years of age is found guilty by a magistrates' court of an offence for which, apart from this section, the court would have power to impose a fine of an amount exceeding £200, the amount of any fine imposed by the court shall not exceed £200.
In relation to a person under the age of 14 subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for the words " £200 ", in both the places where they occur, there were substituted the words " £50 " ; but this subsection shall cease to have effect on the coming into force of section 4 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (which prohibits criminal proceedings against children).
Where a person is convicted by a magistrates' court of an offence punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment, then, if on the day of the conviction he is not less than 15 but under 21 years old and is a person who under section 1(2) and (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 may be committed for a sentence of borstal training, the court may commit him in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with the provisions of section 20 of the Criminal Justice Act 1948.
A person committed in custody under subsection (1) above shall be committed—
if the court has been notified by the Secretary of State that a remand centre is available for the reception, from that court, of persons of the class or description of the person committed, to a remand centre ;
if the court has not been so notified, to a prison.
The committee of magistrates may at any time submit to the Secretary of State a draft order altering the name of any petty sessions area in the inner London area.
Where the committee submit a draft order to the Secretary of State under this section, he may by statutory instrument make the order either in the terms of the draft or with such modifications as he thinks fit.
Any order under this section may contain transitional and other consequential provisions.
Where a person who has attained the age of 17 (" the offender") has been convicted by a magistrates' court (" the convicting court") of an offence to which this section applies (" the instant offence ") and— the convicting court may remit him to the other court to be dealt with in respect of the instant offence by the other court instead of by the convicting court.
it appears to the convicting court that some other magistrates' court (" the other court") has convicted him of another such offence in respect of which the other court has neither passed sentence on him nor committed him to the Crown Court for sentence nor dealt with him in any other way; and
the other court consents to his being remitted under this section to the other court,
The offender, if remitted under this section, shall have no right of appeal against the order of remission.
Where the convicting court remits the offender to the other court under this section, it shall adjourn the trial of the information charging him with the instant offence, and—
section 128 below and all other enactments (whenever passed) relating to remand or the granting of bail in criminal proceedings shall have effect in relation to the convicting court's power or duty to remand the offender on that adjournment as if any reference to the court to or before which the person remanded is to be brought or appear after remand were a reference to the court to which he is being remitted; and
subject to subsection (4) below, the other court may deal with the case in any way in which it would have power to deal with it (including, where applicable, the remission of the offender under this section to another magistrates' court in respect of the instant offence) if all proceedings relating to that offence which took place before the convicting court had taken place before the other court.
Nothing in this section shall preclude the convicting court from making any order which it has power to make under section 28 of the Theft Act 1968 (orders for restitution) by virtue of the offender's conviction of the instant offence.
Where the convicting court has remitted the offender under this section to the other court, the other court may remit him back to the convicting court; and the provisions of subsection (3) above (so far as applicable) shall apply with the necessary modifications in relation to any remission under this subsection.
This section applies to— and in this section " conviction " includes a finding under section 30(1) above that the person in question did the act or made the omission charged, and convicted " shall be construed accordingly.
any offence punishable with imprisonment; and
any offence in respect of which the convicting court has a power or duty to order the offender to be disqualified under section 93 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 (disqualification for certain motoring offences);
The compensation to be paid under a compensation order made by a magistrates' court in respect of any offence of which the court has convicted the offender shall not exceed £1,000 ; and the compensation or total compensation to be paid under a compensation order or compensation orders made by a magistrates' court in respect of any offence or offences taken into consideration in determining sentence shall not exceed the difference (if any) between the amount or total amount which under the preceding provisions of this subsection is the maximum for the offence or offences of which the offender has been convicted and the amount or total amounts (if any) which are in fact ordered to be paid in respect of that offence or those offences.
In subsection (1) above " compensation order " has the meaning assigned to it by section 35(1) of the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973.
A person charged with treason shall not be granted bail except by order of a judge of the High Court or the Secretary of State.
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A justice of the peace shall not take part in trying the issue of an accused's guilt on the summary trial of an information if in the course of the same proceedings the justice has been informed, for the purpose of determining whether the accused shall be granted bail, that he has one or more previous convictions.
For the purposes of this section any committal proceedings from which the proceedings on the summary trial arose shall be treated as part of the trial.
Where a person has been granted bail under Part IV of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 subject to a duty to appear before a magistrates’ court, the court before which he is to appear may appoint a later time as the time at which he is to appear and may enlarge the recognizances of any sureties for him at that time.
The recognizance of any surety for any person granted bail subject to a duty to attend at a police station may be enforced as if it were conditioned for his appearance before a magistrates’ court acting in the local justice area in which the police station named in the recognizance is situated.
Where, on a person's being taken into custody for an offence without a warrant, it appears to any such officer as aforesaid that the inquiry into the case cannot be completed forthwith, he may grant him bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976 subject to a duty to appear at such a police station and at such a time as the officer appoints unless he previously receives a notice in writing from the officer in charge of that police station that his attendance is not required ; and the recognizance of any surety for that person may be enforced as if it were conditioned for the appearance of that person before a magistrates' court for the petty sessions area in which the police station named in the recognizance is situated.
Where a person is taken into custody for an offence without a warrant and is retained in custody, he shall be brought before a magistrates' court as soon as practicable.
A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of a summary offence shall be guilty of the like offence and may be tried (whether or not he is charged as a principal) either by a court having jurisdiction to try that other person or by a court having by virtue of his own offence jurisdiction to try him.
Any offence consisting in aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence triable either way (other than an offence listed in Schedule 1 to this Act) shall by virtue of this subsection be triable either way.
Where a person in custody in pursuance of a warrant issued by the Crown Court with a view to his appearance before the Crown Court is brought before a magistrates’ court in pursuance of section 81(5) of the Senior Courts Act 1981—
the magistrates’ court shall commit him in custody or release him on bail until he can be brought or appear before the Crown Court at the time and place appointed by the Crown Court;
if the warrant is endorsed for bail, but the person in custody is unable to satisfy the conditions endorsed, the magistrates’ court may vary those conditions, if satisfied that it is proper to do so.
A magistrates’ court shall have jurisdiction under subsection (1) whether or not the offence was committed, or the arrest was made, within the court’s area.
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Any offence consisting in the incitement to commit a summary offence shall be triable only summarily.
Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any other enactment by virtue of which any offence is triable only summarily.
On conviction of an offence consisting in the incitement to commit a summary offence a person shall be liable to the same penalties as he would be liable to on conviction of the last-mentioned offence.
Where a custody officer— a magistrates’ court may, on application by or on behalf of that person, grant bail or vary the conditions.
grants bail to any person under Part IV of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in criminal proceedings and imposes conditions, or
varies, in relation to any person, conditions of bail in criminal proceedings under section 3(8) of the Bail Act 1976,
On an application under subsection (1) the court, if it grants bail and imposes conditions or if it varies the conditions, may impose more onerous conditions.
On determining an application under subsection (1) the court shall remand the applicant, in custody or on bail in accordance with the determination, and, where the court withholds bail or grants bail the grant of bail made by the custody officer shall lapse.
In this section “bail in criminal proceedings” and “vary” have the same meanings as they have in the Bail Act 1976.
The provisions of Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect where a corporation is charged with an offence before a magistrates’ court.
Where any enactment requires, expressly or by implication, that a summons in respect of an offence shall be issued or served within a specified period after the commission of the offence, and service of the summons may under rules of court be effected by post, then, if under the rules service of the summons is not treated as proved, but it is shown that a letter containing the summons was posted at such time as to enable it to be delivered in the ordinary course of post within that period, a second summons may be issued on the same information; and the enactment shall have effect, in relation to that summons, as if the specified period were a period running from the return day of the original summons.
Where a summons or warrant has been issued requiring any person to appear or be brought before a magistrates’ court to answer to an information, or where any person has been arrested without a warrant for an offence, and property has been taken from him after the issue of the summons or warrant or, as the case may be, on or after his arrest without a warrant, the police shall report the taking of the property, with particulars of the property, to the magistrates’ court which deals with the case; and, if the court, being of opinion that the whole or any part of the property can be returned to the accused consistently with the interests of justice and the safe custody of the accused, so directs, the property, or such part of it as the court directs, shall be returned to the accused or to such other person as he may require.
Where any person not less than 14 years old— the court may, if it thinks fit, on the application of a police officer not below the rank of inspector, order the finger-prints of that person to be taken by a constable.
who has been taken into custody is charged with an offence before a magistrates' court; or
appears before a magistrates' court in answer to a summons for an offence punishable with imprisonment,
Finger-prints taken in pursuance of an order under this section shall be taken either at the place where the court is sitting or. if the person to whom the order relates is remanded in custody, at any place to which he is committed ; and a constable may use such reasonable force as may be necessary for that purpose.
The provisions of this section shall be in addition to those of any other enactment under which finger-prints may be taken.
Where the finger-prints of any person have been taken in pursuance of an order under this section, then, if he is acquitted, or the examining justices determine not to commit him for trial, or if the information against him is dismissed, the finger-prints and all copies and records of them shall be destroyed.
In this section " finger-prints " includes palm-prints.
In any enactment conferring power on a magistrates’ court to deal with an offence, or to issue a summons or warrant against a person suspected of an offence, on the complaint of any person, for references to a complaint there shall be substituted references to an information.
Where a person appears or is brought before a magistrates' court— the court may transfer the matter to another magistrates' court.
to be tried by the court for an offence, or
for the court to inquire into the offence as examining justices,
The court may transfer the matter before or after beginning the trial or inquiry.
But if the court transfers the matter after it has begun to hear the evidence and the parties, the court to which the matter is transferred must begin hearing the evidence and the parties again.
The power of the court under this section to transfer any matter must be exercised in accordance with any directions given under section 30(3) of the Courts Act 2003.
Where a complaint relating to a person is made to a justice of the peace, the justice of the peace may issue a summons to the person requiring him to appear before a magistrates' court to answer to the complaint.
A magistrates' court has jurisdiction to hear any complaint.
But subsection (1) is subject to provision made by any enactment.
On the hearing of a complaint, the court shall, if the defendant appears, state to him the substance of the complaint.
The court, after hearing the evidence and the parties, shall make the order for which the complaint is made or dismiss the complaint.
Where a complaint is for an order for the payment of a sum recoverable summarily as a civil debt, or for the variation of the rate of any periodical payments ordered by a magistrates’ court to be made, or for such other matter as may be prescribed, the court may make the order with the consent of the defendant without hearing evidence.
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A magistrates’ court may at any time, whether before or after beginning to hear a complaint, adjourn the hearing, and may do so, notwithstanding anything in this Act, when composed of a single justice.
The court may when adjourning either fix the time and place at which the hearing is to be resumed or, unless it remands the defendant under section 55 below, leave the time and place to be determined later by the court; but the hearing shall not be resumed at that time and place unless the court is satisfied that the parties have had adequate notice thereof.
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Where at the time and place appointed for the hearing or adjourned hearing of a complaint the complainant appears but the defendant does not, the court may, subject to subsection (3) below, proceed in his absence.
Where the court, instead of proceeding in the absence of the defendant, adjourns, or further adjourns, the hearing, the court may, if the complaint has been substantiated on oath, and subject to the following provisions of this section, issue a warrant for his arrest.
The court shall not begin to hear the complaint in the absence of the defendant or issue a warrant under this section unless either it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that the summons was served on him within what appears to the court to be a reasonable time before the hearing or adjourned hearing or the defendant has appeared on a previous occasion to answer to the complaint.
Where the defendant fails to appear at an adjourned hearing, the court shall not issue a warrant under this section unless it is satisfied that he has had adequate notice of the time and place of the adjourned hearing.
Where the defendant is arrested under a warrant issued under this section, the court may, on any subsequent adjournment of the hearing, but subject to the provisions of subsection (6) below, remand him.
The court shall not issue a warrant or remand a defendant under this section or further remand him by virtue of section 128(3) below after he has given evidence in the proceedings.
Where the court remands the defendant, the time fixed for the resumption of the hearing shall be that at which he is required to appear or be brought before the court in pursuance of the remand.
A warrant under this section shall not be issued in any proceedings for the recovery or enforcement of a sum recoverable summarily as a civil debt or in proceedings in any matter of bastardy.
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... Where at the time and place appointed for the hearing or adjourned hearing of a complaint the defendant appears but the complainant does not, the court may dismiss the complaint or, if evidence has been received on a previous occasion, proceed in the absence of the complainant.
... Where at the time and place appointed for the hearing or adjourned hearing of a complaint neither the complainant nor the defendant appears, the court may dismiss the complaint.
A magistrates’ court shall have power to make an order on complaint for the payment of any money recoverable summarily as a civil debt.
Any sum payment of which may be ordered by a magistrates’ court shall be recoverable summarily as a civil debt except—
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a sum that may be adjudged to be paid by a summary conviction or by an order enforceable as if it were a summary conviction.
A magistrates' court may at any time, whether before or after beginning to hear a complaint, transfer the hearing to another magistrates' court.
But if the court transfers the matter after it has begun to hear the evidence and the parties, the court to which the matter is transferred must begin hearing the evidence and the parties again.
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The power of the court under this section to transfer a hearing must be exercised in accordance with any directions given under section 30(3) of the Courts Act 2003.
In any case where a magistrates’ court orders money to be paid periodically by one person (in this section referred to as “the debtor”) to another (in this section referred to as “the creditor”), ... the court shall at the same time exercise one of its powers under paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) below .
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The powers of the court are—
the power to order that payments under the order be made directly by the debtor to the creditor;
the power to order that payments under the order be made to the designated officer for the court or for any other magistrates' court;
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In any case where— the court in exercising its power under that paragraph may order that the debtor open such an account.
the court proposes to exercise its power under paragraph (c) of subsection (3) above, and
having given the debtor an opportunity of opening an account from which payments under the order may be made in accordance with the method of payment proposed to be ordered under that paragraph, the court is satisfied that the debtor has failed, without reasonable excuse, to open such an account,
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The methods of payment referred to in subsection (3)(c) above are the following, that is to say—
payment by standing order; or
payment by any other method which requires one person to give his authority for payments of a specific amount to be made from an account of his to an account of another’s on specific dates during the period for which the authority is in force and without the need for any further authority from him.
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Where a magistrates’ court has made an order for money to be paid periodically by one person to another, the court may, by order on complaint, revoke, revive or vary the order.
The power under subsection (1) above to vary an order shall include power to suspend the operation of any provision of the order temporarily and to revive the operation of any provision so suspended.
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For the purposes of this section—
“creditor” and “debtor” have the same meaning as they have in section 59 above; ...
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Where payments under an order made by a magistrates' court are required to be made periodically— and any sums payable under the order are in arrear, the relevant designated officer shall, if the person for whose benefit the payments are required to be made so requests in writing, and unless it appears to that designated officer that it is unreasonable in the circumstances to do so, proceed in his own name for the recovery of those sums.
to or through the designated officer for a magistrates' court, or
by any method of payment falling within section 59(6) above,
Where payments under an order made by a magistrates' court are required to be made periodically to or through the designated officer for a magistrates' court, the person for whose benefit the payments are required to be made may, at any time during the period in which the payments are required to be so made, give authority in writing to the relevant designated officer for him to proceed as mentioned in subsection (3) below.
Where authority under subsection (2) above is given to the relevant designated officer, he shall, unless it appears to him that it is unreasonable in the circumstances to do so, proceed in his own name for the recovery of any sums payable to or through him under the order in question which, on or after the date of the giving of the authority, fall into arrear.
In any case where— the authority shall cease to have effect and, accordingly, the relevant designated officer shall not continue any proceedings already commenced by virtue of the authority.
authority under subsection (2) above has been given to the relevant designated officer, and
the person for whose benefit the payments are required to be made gives notice in writing to the relevant designated officer cancelling the authority,
The person for whose benefit the payments are required to be made shall have the same liability for all the costs properly incurred in or about proceedings taken under subsection (1) above at his request or under subsection (3) above by virtue of his authority (including any costs incurred as a result of any proceedings commenced not being continued) as if the proceedings had been taken by him.
Nothing in subsection (1) or (3) above shall affect any right of a person to proceed in his own name for the recovery of sums payable on his behalf under an order of any court.
In this section— ...
Rules of court may make provision—
for enabling a person to make one complaint for the recovery of payments required to be made to him by another person under more than one periodical payments order; and
for apportioning between two or more periodical payments orders, in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules, any sum paid to the designated officer for a magistrates' court on any date by the person liable to make payments under the orders which is less than the total sum required to be paid on that date to that designated officer by that person in respect of those orders (being orders one of which requires payments to be made for the benefit of a child to the person with whom the child has his home and one or more of which requires payments to be made to that person either for his own benefit or for the benefit of another child who has his home with him) and sums paid into court in pursuance of orders under section 35 of the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (compensation orders).
In this section— and any payments required under a periodical payments order to be made to a child shall for the purposes of subsection (1) above be treated as if they were required to be made to the person with whom the child has his home.
section 125B of this Act (approved enforcement agencies);
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“the prescribed sum” means £5,000 or such sum as is for the time being substituted in this definition by an order in force under section 143(1) below;
periodical payments are required to be made, or a lump sum is required to be paid, to a child under an order made by a magistrates’ court, ...
“sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction” means any fine, costs, compensation or other sum adjudged to be paid by an order made on a finding of guilt, including a compensation order (within the meaning given by section 133 of the Sentencing Code).
on adjourning a case under section 5, 10(1) , 17C , 18(4) or 24C above the court proposes to remand or further remand a person in custody; and
he is before the court; and
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he is legally represented in that court,
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any sum recoverable summarily as a civil debt which is adjudged to be paid by the order of a magistrates’ court;
any sum required under the order to be paid to the child may be paid to the person with whom the child has his home, and that person—
may proceed in his own name for the variation, revival or revocation of the order, and
may either proceed in his own name for the recovery of any sum required to be paid under the order or request or authorise the designated officer for the magistrates’ court under subsection (1) or subsection (2) respectively of section 59A above, to proceed for the recovery of that sum.
Where a child has a right under any enactment to apply for the revival of an order made by a magistrates’ court which provided for the making of periodical payments to or for the benefit of the child, the person with whom the child has his home may proceed in his own name for the revival of that order.
Where any person by whom periodical payments are required to be paid to a child under an order made by ... a magistrates’ court makes a complaint for the variation or revocation of that order, the person with whom the child has his home may answer the complaint in his own name.
Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) above shall affect any right of a child to proceed in his own name for the variation, revival or revocation of an order or for the recovery of any sum payable thereunder.
In this section references to the person with whom a child has his home—
in the case of any child who is being looked after by a local authority (within the meaning of section 22 of the Children Act 1989 or section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 ), are references to that local authority; and
in any other case, are references to the person who, disregarding any absence of the child at a hospital or boarding school and any other temporary absence, has care of the child.
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In this section “child” means a person who has not attained the age of 18.
Where under any Act passed after 31st December 1879 a magistrates’ court has power to require the doing of anything other than the payment of money, or to prohibit the doing of anything, any order of the court for the purpose of exercising that power may contain such provisions for the manner in which anything is to be done, for the time within which anything is to be done, or during which anything is not to be done, and generally for giving effect to the order, as the court thinks fit.
The court may by order made on complaint suspend or rescind any such order as aforesaid.
Where any person disobeys an order of a magistrates’ court made under an Act passed after 31st December 1879 to do anything other than the payment of money or to abstain from doing anything the court may— but a person who is ordered to pay a sum for every day during which he is in default or who is committed to custody until he has remedied his default shall not by virtue of this section be ordered to pay more than £1,000 or be committed for more than 2 months in all for doing or abstaining from doing the same thing contrary to the order (without prejudice to the operation of this section in relation to any subsequent default).
order him to pay a sum not exceeding £50 for every day during which he is in default or a sum not exceeding £5,000; or
commit him to custody until he has remedied his default or for a period not exceeding 2 months;
Any sum ordered to be paid under subsection (3) above shall for the purposes of this Act be treated as adjudged to be paid by a conviction of a magistrates’ court.
The preceding provisions of this section shall not apply to any order for the enforcement of which provision is made by any other enactment.
On the hearing of a complaint, a magistrates’ court shall have power in its discretion to make such order as to costs— as it thinks just and reasonable; but if the complaint is for an order for the variation of an order for the periodic payment of money , or for the enforcement of such an order, the court may, whatever adjudication it makes, order either party to pay the whole or any part of the other’s costs.
on making the order for which the complaint is made, to be paid by the defendant to the complainant;
on dismissing the complaint, to be paid by the complainant to the defendant,
The amount of any sum ordered to be paid under subsection (1) ... shall be specified in the order, or order of dismissal, as the case may be.
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... Costs ordered to be paid under this section shall be enforceable as a civil debt.
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The preceding provisions of this section shall have effect subject to any other Act enabling a magistrates’ court to order a successful party to pay the other party’s costs.
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a fine,
the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act 1920;
section 43 or section 44 of the National Assistance Act 1948;
section 3 of the Marriage Act 1949 ;
the Affiliation Proceedings Act 1957 ;
the Guardianship of Minors Acts 1971 and 1973 ;
Part I of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972;
Part II of the Children Act 1975 ;
the Adoption Act 1976, except proceedings under section 34 of that Act;
section 18 or section 19 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976;
Part I of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978;
section 47, 49 or 50 of the Child Care Act 1980;
section 60 of this Act;
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proceedings for the enforcement of any order made,
“the fines officer”, in relation to a person subject to a collection order, means any fines officer working at the fines office specified in that order;
proceedings for the variation of any provision for the periodical payment of money contained in an order made, confirmed or registered under any of those enactments; or
in the case of an offence punishable with imprisonment, the offender appears to the court to have sufficient means to pay the sum forthwith; or
proceedings on an information in respect of the commission of an offence under any of those enactments.
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The court before which there fall to be heard any of the following proceedings, that is to say may if it thinks fit order that those proceedings and any other proceedings being heard therewith shall, notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) above, be treated as domestic proceedings for the purposes of this Act.
proceedings (whether under this Act or any other enactment) for the enforcement of any order made, confirmed or registered under any of the enactments specified in paragraphs (a) to (k) of subsection (1) above ;
proceedings (whether under this Act or any other enactment) for the variation of any provision for the making of periodical payments contained in an order made, confirmed or registered under any of those enactments;
proceedings for an attachment of earnings order to secure maintenance payments within the meaning of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 or for the discharge or variation of such an order; or
proceedings for the enforcement of a maintenance order which is registered in a magistrates' court under Part II of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950 or Part I of the Maintenance Orders Act 1958 or for the variation of the rate of payments specified by such an order,
Where the same parties are parties— and the proceedings are heard together by a magistrates' court, the whole of those proceedings shall be treated as domestic proceedings for the purposes of this Act.
to proceedings which are domestic proceedings by virtue of subsection (1) above, and
to proceedings which the court has power to treat as domestic proceedings by virtue of subsection (2) above,
No appeal shall lie from the making of, or refusal to make, an order under subsection (2) above.
Until the Adoption Act 1976 comes into force subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for paragraph (h) thereof there were substituted the following paragraph—
Until the Child Care Act 1980 comes into force subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for paragraph (k) thereof there were substituted the following paragraph—
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Subject to the provisions of this section, a magistrates' court when hearing domestic proceedings shall be composed of not more than 3 justices of the peace, including, so far as practicable, both a man and a woman.
Subsection (1) above shall not apply to a magistrates' court for an inner London petty sessions area, and, notwithstanding anything in section 67 below, for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction to hear domestic proceedings such a court shall be composed of— or, if it is not practicable for such a court to be so composed, the court shall for that purpose be composed of a metropolitan stipendiary magistrate sitting alone.
a metropolitan stipendiary magistrate as chairman and one or 2 lay justices who are members of the domestic court panel for that area ; or
2 or 3 lay justices who are members of that panel;
Where in pursuance of subsection (2) above a magistrates' court includes lay justices it shall, so far as practicable, include both a man and a woman.
In the preceding provisions of this section " lay justices " means justices of the peace for the inner London area who are not metropolitan stipendiary magistrates.
In this section " inner London petty sessions area " means the City of London or any petty sessional division of the inner London area.
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Magistrates' courts constituted in accordance with the provisions of this section and sitting for the purpose of hearing domestic proceedings shall be known as domestic courts.
A justice shall not be qualified to sit as a member of a domestic court unless he is a member of a domestic court panel, that is to say a panel of justices specially appointed to deal with domestic proceedings.
Without prejudice to the generality of the power to make rules under section 144 below relating to the procedure and practice to be followed in magistrates' courts, provision may be made by such rules with respect to any of the following matters, that is to say
the formation and revision of domestic court panels and the eligibility of justices to be members of such panels ;
the appointment of persons as chairmen of domestic courts; and
the composition of domestic courts.
Any provision made by rules by virtue of subsection (3) above for the formation of domestic court panels shall include provision for the formation of at least one domestic court panel for each commission area, but provision shall not be made by the rules for the formation of more than one domestic court panel for any petty sessions area. In this subsection " commission area " has the same meaning as in the Justices of the Peace Act 1979.
Rules made by virtue of subsection (3) above may confer powers on the Lord Chancellor with respect to any of the matters specified in the rules and may, in particular, provide for the appointment of domestic court panels by him and for the removal from a domestic court panel of any justice who, in his opinion, is unsuitable to serve on a domestic court.
Rules made by virtue of subsection (3) above may make different provision in relation to different areas for which domestic court panels are formed ; and in the application of this section to the counties of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire for any reference in subsection (5) above to the Lord Chancellor there shall be substituted a reference to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
A stipendiary magistrate who is a member of a domestic court panel may, notwithstanding anything in section 66(1) above, hear and determine domestic proceedings when sitting alone.
Nothing in this section shall require the formation of a domestic court panel for the City of London.
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Where the Secretary of State considers— he may direct the magistrates' courts committee for the area concerned to review the functioning of domestic courts in their area and on completion of the review to submit a report to the Secretary of State.
that a combined domestic court panel should be formed for 2 or more petty sessions areas, or
that any combined domestic court panel which has been so formed should be dissolved,
Where the Secretary of State gives a direction under subsection (1) above, then— the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, make an order for the formation of a combined domestic court panel for the petty sessions areas concerned or, as the case may be, for the dissolution of the combined domestic court panel concerned.
after consideration of any report submitted to him under that subsection, or
if the committee fail to comply with the direction within 6 months from the giving thereof, after the expiration of that period of 6 months,
Where the Secretary of State proposes to make an order under subsection (2) above, he shall send a copy of the proposed order to the magistrates' courts committee for any area the whole or part of which is concerned and to any domestic court panel which is concerned.
Where a copy of the proposed order is required to be sent under subsection (3) above to any committee or panel, the Secretary of State shall, before making an order, consider any representations made to him by the committee or panel within one month from the time the copy of the proposed order was sent.
An order of the Secretary of State under subsection (2) above shall be made by statutory instrument and may be revoked or varied by a subsequent order thereunder.
Any order made under subsection (2) above may contain supplementary, incidental and consequential provisions.
In the application of this section to the inner London area any reference to the magistrates' courts committee shall be treated as a reference to the committee of magistrates.
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The business of magistrates' courts shall, so far as is consistent with the due dispatch of business, be arranged in such manner as may be requisite for separating the hearing and determination of domestic proceedings from other business.
In the case of domestic proceedings in a magistrates' court other than proceedings under the Adoption Act 1976, no person shall be present during the hearing and determination by the court of the proceedings except—
officers of the court;
parties to the case before the court, their solicitors and counsel, witnesses and other persons directly concerned in the case;
representatives of newspapers or news agencies;
any other person whom the court may in its discretion permit to be present, so, however, that permission shall not be withheld from a person who appears to the court to have adequate grounds for attendance.
In relation to any domestic proceedings under the Adoption Act 1976, subsection (2) above shall apply with the omission of paragraphs (c) and (d).
When hearing domestic proceedings, a magistrates' court may, if it thinks it necessary in the interest of the administration of justice or of public decency, direct that any persons, not being officers of the court or parties to the case, the parties' solicitors or counsel, or other persons directly concerned in the case, be excluded during the taking of any indecent evidence.
The powers conferred on a magistrates' court by this section shall be in addition and without prejudice to any other powers of the court to hear proceedings in camera.
Nothing in this section shall affect the exercise by a magistrates' court of the power to direct that witnesses shall be excluded until they are called for examination.
Until the coming into operation of the Adoption Act 1976 this section shall have effect as if for any reference to that Act there were substituted a reference to the Adoption Act 1958, the Adoption Act 1960 and Part I of the Children Act 1975.
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A relevant court for an inner London petty sessions area shall, in addition to hearing proceedings which (apart from subsection (2) below) may be heard by a relevant court for that area, have jurisdiction to hear proceedings which could be heard before a relevant court for any other such area, but shall not exercise the jurisdiction conferred by this subsection except in such cases or classes of case as may be determined by the committee of magistrates.
A magistrates' court for an inner London petty sessions area shall not hear any domestic proceedings if the committee of magistrates so determine.
In this section—
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In the case of domestic proceedings in a magistrates' court (other than proceedings under the Adoption Act 1976) it shall not be lawful for the proprietor, editor or publisher of a newspaper or periodical to print or publish, or cause or procure to be printed or published, in it any particulars of the proceedings other than the following, that is to say—
the names, addresses and occupations of the parties and witnesses;
the grounds of the application, and a concise statement of the charges, defences and counter-charges in support of which evidence has been given ;
submissions on any point of law arising in the course of the proceedings and the decision of the court on the submissions;
the decision of the court, and any observations made by the court in giving it.
In the case of domestic proceedings in a magistrates' court under the Adoption Act 1976, subsection (1) above shall apply with the omission of paragraphs (a) and (b) and the reference in that subsection to the particulars of the proceedings shall, in relation to any child concerned in the proceedings, include—
the name, address or school of the child,
any picture as being, or including, a picture of the child. and
any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the child.
Any person acting in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
No prosecution for an offence under this section shall be begun without the consent of the Attorney General.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit the printing or publishing of any matter in a newspaper or periodical of a technical character bona fide intended for circulation among members of the legal or medical professions.
Until the coming into operation of the Adoption Act 1976 this section shall have effect as if for any reference to that Act there were substituted a reference to the Adoption Act 1958, the Adoption Act 1960 and Part I of the Children Act 1975.
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Where in any domestic proceedings in which an order may be made for the payment of money by any person, or in any proceedings for the enforcement or variation of any such order, a magistrates' court has requested a probation officer to investigate the means of the parties to the proceedings, the court may direct the probation officer to report the result of his investigation to the court in accordance with the provisions of this section; but in the case of any such domestic proceedings no direction to report to the court shall be given to a probation officer under this subsection until the court has determined all issues arising in the proceedings other than the amount to be directed to be paid by such an order.
Where the court directs a probation officer under this section to report to the court the result of any such investigation as aforesaid, the court may require him—
to furnish to the court a statement in writing about his investigation; or
to make an oral statement to the court about his investigation.
Where the court requires a probation officer to furnish a statement in writing under subsection (2) above—
a copy of the statement shall be given to each party to the proceedings or to his counsel or solicitor at the hearing; and
the court may, if it thinks fit, require that the statement, or such part of the statement as the court may specify, shall be read aloud at the hearing.
The court may and, if requested to do so at the hearing by a party to the proceedings or his counsel or solicitor shall, require the probation officer to give evidence about his investigation, and if the officer gives such evidence, any party to the proceedings may give or call evidence with respect to any matter referred to either in the statement or in the evidence given by the officer.
Any statement made by a probation officer in a statement furnished or made by him under subsection (2) above, or any evidence which he is required to give under subsection (4) above, may be received by the court as evidence, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any enactment or rule of law relating to the admissibility of evidence.
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The power to make rules conferred by section 144 below shall, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of that section, include power to make provision for the recording by a magistrates' court, in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules, of reasons for a decision made in such domestic proceedings or class of domestic proceedings as may be so prescribed, and for making available a copy of any record made in accordance with those rules of the reasons for a decision of a magistrates' court to any person who requests a copy thereof for the purposes of an appeal against that decision or for the purpose of deciding whether or not to appeal against that decision.
A copy of any record made by virtue of this section of the reasons for a decision of a magistrates' court shall, if certified by such officer of the court as may be prescribed, be admissible as evidence of those reasons.
A magistrates’ court by whose conviction or order a sum is adjudged to be paid may, instead of requiring immediate payment, allow time for payment, or order payment by instalments.
Where a magistrates’ court has allowed time for payment, the court may, on application by or on behalf of the person liable to make the payment, allow further time or order payment by instalments.
Where a court has ordered payment by instalments and default is made in the payment of any one instalment, proceedings may be taken as if the default had been made in the payment of all the instalments then unpaid.
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Subject to the following provisions of this Part of this Act, and to section 132 below , where default is made in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction or order of a magistrates’ court, the court may issue a warrant of control for the purpose of recovering the sum or issue a warrant committing the defaulter to prison.
A warrant of commitment may be issued as aforesaid either—
where it appears on the return to a warrant of control that the money and goods of the defaulter are insufficient to pay the amount outstanding, as defined by paragraph 50(3) of Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 ; or
instead of a warrant of control .
The period for which a person may be committed to prison under such a warrant as aforesaid shall not, subject to the provisions of any enactment passed after 31st December 1879, exceed the period applicable to the case under Schedule 4 to this Act.
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Where a magistrates’ court has power to issue a warrant of control under this Part of this Act, it may, if it thinks it expedient to do so, postpone the issue of the warrant until such time and on such conditions, if any, as the court thinks just.
Where a magistrates’ court has power to issue a warrant of commitment under this Part of this Act, it may, if it thinks it expedient to do so, fix a term of imprisonment or detention under section 108 of the powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (detention of persons aged 18 to 20 for default)and postpone the issue of the warrant until such time and on such conditions, if any, as the court thinks just.
A magistrates’ court shall have power at any time to do either or both of the following— but only if it thinks it just to do so having regard to a change of circumstances since the relevant time.
to direct that the issue of the warrant of commitment shall be postponed until a time different from that to which it was previously postponed;
to vary any of the conditions on which its issue is postponed,
In this section “the relevant time” means—
where neither of the powers conferred by subsection (3) above has been exercised previously, the date when the issue of the warrant was postponed under subsection (2) above; and
in any other case, the date of the exercise or latest exercise of either or both of the powers.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3) above, if on an application by a person in respect of whom issue of a warrant has been postponed it appears to a justice of the peace acting in the local justice area in which the warrant has been or would have been issued that since the relevant time there has been a change of circumstances which would make it just for the court to exercise one or other or both of the powers conferred by that subsection, he shall refer the application to the court.
Where such an application is referred to the court—
the ... court shall fix a time and place for the application to be heard; and
the designated officer for the court shall give the applicant notice of that time and place.
Where such a notice has been given but the applicant does not appear at the time and place specified in the notice, the court may proceed with the consideration of the application in his absence.
If a warrant of commitment in respect of the sum adjudged to be paid has been issued before the hearing of the application, the court shall have power to order that the warrant shall cease to have effect and, if the applicant has been arrested in pursuance of it, to order that he shall be released, but it shall only make an order under this subsection if it is satisfied that the change of circumstances on which the applicant relies was not put before the court when it was determining whether to issue the warrant.
A warrant of distress issued for the purpose of levying a sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction or order of a magistrates’ court shall not, if it states that the sum has been so adjudged to be paid, be held void by reason of any defect in the warrant.
A person acting under a warrant of distress shall not be deemed to be a trespasser from the beginning by reason only of any irregularity in the execution of the warrant.
Nothing in this section shall prejudice the claim of any person for special damages in respect of any loss caused by a defect in the warrant or irregularity in its execution.
If any person removes any goods marked in accordance with rules of court as articles impounded in the execution of a warrant of distress, or defaces or removes any such mark, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.
If any person charged with the execution of a warrant of distress wilfully retains from the proceeds of a sale of the goods on which distress is levied, or otherwise exacts, any greater costs and charges than those properly payable, or makes any improper charge, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.
Where imprisonment or other detention has been imposed on any person by the order of a magistrates’ court in default of payment of any sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction or order of a magistrates’ court or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum, then, on the payment of the sum, together with the costs and charges, if any, of the commitment, or (as the case may be) on the payment of the amount outstanding, the order shall cease to have effect; and if the person has been committed to custody he shall be released unless he is in custody for some other cause.
Where, after a period of imprisonment or other detention has been imposed on any person in default of payment of any sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction or order of a magistrates’ court or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum, payment is made in accordance with rules of court of part of the sum, the period of detention shall be reduced by such number of days as bears to the total number of days in that period less one day the same proportion as the amount so paid bears —
to the amount outstanding at the time the period of detention was imposed, if the procedure in Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (taking control of goods) had been used for recovering the sum;
otherwise, to so much of the sum as was due at that time.
In calculating the reduction required under subsection (2) above any fraction of a day shall be left out of account.
In this Act, references to want of sufficient goods to satisfy a sum of money are references to circumstances where—
a warrant of control has been issued for the sum to be recovered from a person, but
it appears on the return to the warrant that the person's money and goods are insufficient to pay the amount outstanding.
In this section, “the amount outstanding” has the meaning given by paragraph 50(3) of Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Where a magistrates’ court has adjudged a person to pay a sum by a conviction ..., the court may order him to be searched.
Any money found on the arrest of a person adjudged to pay such a sum as aforesaid, or on a search as aforesaid, or on his being taken to a prison or other place of detention in default of payment of such a sum or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum, may, unless the court otherwise directs, be applied towards payment of the said sum; and the balance, if any, shall be returned to him.
A magistrates’ court shall not allow the application as aforesaid of any money found on a person if it is satisfied that the money does not belong to him or that the loss of the money would be more injurious to his family than would be his detention.
Where a magistrates’ court would, but for section 227 of the Sentencing Code, have power to commit to prison a person under the age of 18 for a default consisting in failure to pay, or want of sufficient goods to satisfy, a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction, the court may, subject to the following provisions of this section, make—
an order requiring the defaulter’s parent or guardian to enter into a recognizance to ensure that the defaulter pays so much of that sum as remains unpaid; or
an order directing so much of that sum as remains unpaid to be paid by the defaulter’s parent or guardian instead of by the defaulter.
An order under subsection (1) above shall not be made in respect of a defaulter—
in pursuance of paragraph (a) of that subsection, unless the parent or guardian in question consents;
in pursuance of paragraph (b) of that subsection, unless the court is satisfied in all the circumstances that it is reasonable to make the order.
None of the following orders, namely— shall be made by a magistrates’ court in consequence of a default of a person under the age of 18 years consisting in failure to pay, or want of sufficient goods to satisfy, a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction unless the court has since the conviction inquired into the defaulter’s means in his presence on at least one occasion.
an order under section 60(1) of the said Act of 2000 for attendance at an attendance centre; or
any order under subsection (1) above,
An order under subsection (1) above shall not be made by a magistrates’ court unless the court is satisfied that the defaulter has, or has had since the date on which the sum in question was adjudged to be paid, the means to pay the sum or any instalment of it on which he has defaulted, and refuses or neglects or, as the case may be, has refused or neglected, to pay it.
An order under subsection (1) above may be made in pursuance of paragraph (b) of that subsection against a parent or guardian who, having been required to attend, has failed to do so; but, save as aforesaid, an order under that subsection shall not be made in pursuance of that paragraph without giving the parent or guardian an opportunity of being heard.
A parent or guardian may appeal to the Crown Court against an order under subsection (1) above made in pursuance of paragraph (b) of that subsection.
Any sum ordered under subsection (1)(b) above to be paid by a parent or guardian may be recovered from him in like manner as if the order had been made on the conviction of the parent or guardian of an offence.
In this section—
A magistrates’ court shall not on the occasion of convicting an offender of an offence issue a warrant of commitment for a default in paying any sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction unless—
in the case of an offence punishable with imprisonment, he appears to the court to have sufficient means to pay the sum forthwith;
it appears to the court that he is unlikely to remain long enough at a place of abode in the United Kingdom to enable payment of the sum to be enforced by other methods; or
on the occasion of that conviction the court sentences him to immediate imprisonment , youth custody or detention in a detention centre for that or another offence or he is already serving a sentence of custody for life, or a term of imprisonment, youth custody, detention under section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 or detention in a detention centre.
A magistrates’ court shall not in advance of the issue of a warrant of commitment fix a term of imprisonment which is to be served by an offender in the event of a default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction, except where it has power to issue a warrant of commitment forthwith, but postpones issuing the warrant under section 77(2) above.
A magistrates' court may not issue a warrant of commitment in reliance on subsection (1)(c) for a default in paying—
a charge ordered to be paid under section 46 of the Sentencing Code (criminal courts charge), or
a surcharge ordered to be paid under section 42 of that Code.
Where on the occasion of the offender’s conviction a magistrates’ court does not issue a warrant of commitment for a default in paying any such sum as aforesaid or fix a term of imprisonment under the said section 77(2) which is to be served by him in the event of any such default, it shall not thereafter issue a warrant of commitment for any such default or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum unless—
he is already serving a sentence of custody for life, or a term of imprisonment, youth custody, detention under section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 or detention in a detention centre; or
the court has since the conviction inquired into his means in his presence on at least one occasion.
Where a magistrates’ court is required by subsection (3) above to inquire into a person’s means, the court may not on the occasion of the inquiry or at any time thereafter issue a warrant of commitment for a default in paying any such sum unless—
After the occasion of an offender’s conviction by a magistrates’ court, the court shall not, unless— issue a warrant of commitment for a default in paying the sum or fix such a term except at a hearing at which the offender is present.
the court has previously fixed a term of imprisonment under section 77(2) above which is to be served by the offender in the event of a default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction; or
the offender is serving a sentence of custody for life, or a term of imprisonment, youth custody, detention undersection 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 or detention in a detention centre,
Where a magistrates’ court issues a warrant of commitment on the ground that one of the conditions mentioned in subsection (1) or (4) above is satisfied, it shall state that fact, specifying the ground, in the warrant.
The methods of enforcing payment mentioned in subsection (4)(b)(ii) above are—
a warrant of control under section 76 above;
an application to the High Court or county court for enforcement under section 87 below;
an order under section 88 below;
an attachment of earnings order; and
if the offender is under the age of 25, an order under section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (attendance centre orders).
The cases in which the offender’s default may be regarded for the purposes of subsection (4)(b)(i) as being attributable to his wilful refusal or culpable neglect include any case in which—
he has refused, otherwise than on reasonable grounds, to consent to a work order proposed to be made under Schedule 6 to the Courts Act 2003 (discharge of fines by unpaid work), or
he has without reasonable excuse failed to comply with such an order.
A magistrates’ court may not issue a warrant of commitment under subsection (5) above at a hearing at which the offender is not present unless the designated officer for the court has first served on the offender a notice in writing stating that the court intends to hold a hearing to consider whether to issue such a warrant and giving the reason why the court so intends.
Where after the occasion of an offender’s conviction by a magistrates’ court the court holds a hearing for the purpose of considering whether to issue a warrant of commitment for default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction, it shall consider such information about the offender’s means as is available to it unless it has previously—
inquired into the offender’s means; and
postponed the issue of the warrant of commitment under section 77(2) above.
A notice under subsection (5A) above— but the court may exercise its powers in relation to the issue of a warrant whether or not he makes representations.
shall state the time and place appointed for the hearing; and
shall inform the offender that, if he considers that there are grounds why the warrant should not be issued, he may make representations to the court in person or in writing,
Except as mentioned in subsection (5E) below, the time stated in a notice under subsection (5A) above shall not be earlier than 21 days after the issue of the notice.
Where a magistrates’ court exercises in relation to an offender the power conferred by section 77(2) above and at the same hearing issues a notice under subsection (5A) above in relation to him, the time stated in the notice may be a time on any day following the end of the period for which the issue of the warrant of commitment has been postponed.
A notice under subsection (5A) above to be served on any person shall be deemed to be served on that person if it is sent in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rules.
A magistrates’ court may, for the purpose of enabling inquiry to be made under section 82 above or for securing the attendance of an offender at a hearing required to be held by subsection (5) of that section—
issue a summons requiring the offender to appear before the court at the time and place appointed in the summons; or
issue a warrant to arrest him and bring him before the court.
On the failure of the offender to appear before the court in answer to a summons issued under this section, or by virtue of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003 the court may issue a warrant to arrest him and bring him before the court.
A warrant issued under this section may be executed in like manner, and the like proceedings may be taken with a view to its execution, in any part of the United Kingdom, as if it had been issued under section 13 above.
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A magistrates’ court may, either before or on inquiring into a person’s means under section 82 above, and a justice of the peace acting in the same local justice area as that court may before any such inquiry, order him to furnish to the court within a period specified in the order such a statement of his assets and other financial circumstances as the court may require.
A person who fails to comply with an order under subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
If a person in furnishing any statement in pursuance of an order under subsection (1) above makes a statement which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly furnishes a statement which is false in a material particular, or knowingly fails to disclose any material fact, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 months or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scaleor both.
Proceedings in respect of an offence under subsection (3) above may, notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) below, be commenced at any time within 2 years from the date of the commission of the offence or within 6 months from its first discovery by the prosecutor, whichever period expires the earlier.
Where a fine has been imposed on conviction of an offender by a magistrates’ court, the court may at any time remit the whole or any part of the fine, but only if it thinks it just to do so having regard to a change of circumstances which has occurred—
where the court is considering whether to issue a warrant of commitment after the issue of such a warrant in respect of the fine has been postponed under subsection (2) of section 77 above, since the relevant time as defined in subsection (4) of that section; and
in any other case, since the date of the conviction.
Where the court remits the whole or part of the fine after a term of imprisonment has been fixed, it shall also reduce the term by an amount which bears the same proportion to the whole term as the amount remitted bears to the whole or, as the case may be, shall remit the whole term.
Where the court remits the whole or part of the fine after an order has been made under section 35(2)(a) or (b) of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, it shall also reduce the total number of hours or days to which the order relates by a number which bears the same proportion as the amount remitted bears to the whole sum or, as the case may be, shall revoke the order.
Where the court remits the whole or part of the fine after a work order has been made under Schedule 6 to the Courts Act 2003 (discharge of fines by unpaid work), it shall also reduce the number of hours specified in the order by a number which bears the same proportion as the amount remitted bears to the whole sum or, as the case may be, shall revoke the order.
In calculating any reduction required by subsection (2), (2A) or (2B) above any fraction of a day or hour shall be left out of account.
Where— the court shall determine how much the surcharge would have been if the fine had not included the amount remitted, and remit the balance of the surcharge.
the court remits the whole or part of the fine, and
the offender was ordered under section 42 of the Sentencing Code to pay a surcharge the amount of which was set by reference to the amount of the fine,
Notwithstanding the definition of “fine” in section 150(1) below, references in this section to a fine do not include any other sum adjudged to be paid on conviction, whether as a pecuniary penalty, forfeiture, compensation or otherwise.
A magistrates’ court which has exercised in relation to a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction either of the powers conferred by section 75(1) above shall have power, either then or later, to fix a day on which, if the relevant condition is satisfied, the offender must appear in person before the court for either or both of the following purposes, namely—
to enable an inquiry into his means to be made under section 82 above;
to enable a hearing required by subsection (5) of the said section 82 to be held.
Except as provided in subsection (3) below, the power to fix a day under this section shall be exercisable only in the presence of the offender.
Where the power which the court has exercised is the power to allow time for payment of a sum (“the adjudged sum”), the relevant condition is satisfied if any part of that sum remains unpaid on the day fixed by the court.
Where a day has been fixed under this section, the court may fix a later day in substitution for the day previously fixed, and may do so—
when composed of a single justice; and
whether the offender is present or not.
Where the power which the court has exercised is the power to order payment by instalments, the relevant condition is satisfied if an instalment which has fallen due remains unpaid on the day fixed by the court.
Subject to subsection (5) below, if on the day fixed under this section— the court may issue a warrant to arrest him and bring him before the court; and subsection (3) of section 83 above shall apply in relation to a warrant issued under this section.
the relevant condition is satisfied; and
the offender fails to appear in person before the court,
Where under subsection (3) above a later day has in the absence of the offender been fixed in substitution for a day previously fixed under this section, the court shall not issue a warrant under this section unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that notice in writing of the substituted day was served on the offender not less than what appears to the court to be a reasonable time before that day.
Where under section 75 above a magistrates’ court orders that a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction shall be paid by instalments, the court, on an application made by the person liable to pay that sum, shall have power to vary that order by varying the number of instalments payable, the amount of any instalment payable, and the date on which any instalment becomes payable.
Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) below, payment of a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction of a magistrates’ court may be enforced by the High Court or the county court (otherwise than by issue of a writ of control or other process against goods or by imprisonment or attachment of earnings) as if the sum were due to the designated officer for the magistrates’ court in pursuance of a judgment or order of the High Court or county court, as the case may be.
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For the purposes of taking the step mentioned in paragraph 38(1)(e) of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003, the reference in subsection (1) above to “the designated officer for the magistrates' court” shall be construed as a reference to the fines officer.
The designated officer for the magistrates' court shall not take proceedings by virtue of subsection (1) above to recover any sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction of the court from any person unless there has been an inquiry under section 82 above into that person’s means and he appeared to the court to have sufficient means to pay the sum forthwith.
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The fines officer shall not, for the purposes of taking the step mentioned in paragraph 38(1)(e) of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003, take proceedings by virtue of subsection (1) above to recover from any person a sum mentioned in paragraph 1 of that Schedule, unless the fines officer has made an inquiry into that person's means and he appeared to the fines officer to have sufficient means to pay the sum forthwith.
Where any person is adjudged to pay a sum by a summary conviction and the convicting court does not commit him to prison forthwith in default of payment, the court may, either on the occasion of the conviction or on a subsequent occasion, order him to be placed under the supervision of such person as the court may from time to time appoint.
An order placing a person under supervision in respect of any sum shall remain in force so long as he remains liable to pay the sum or any part of it unless the order ceases to have effect or is discharged under subsection (3) below.
An order under this section shall cease to have effect on the making of a transfer of fine order under section 89 below with respect to the sum adjudged to be paid and may be discharged by the court that made it, without prejudice in either case to the making of a new order.
Where a person under 21 years old has been adjudged to pay a sum by a summary conviction and the convicting court does not commit him to detention undersection 108 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000forthwith in default of payment, the court shall not commit him to to such detentionin default of payment of the sum, or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy the sum, unless he has been placed under supervision in respect of the sum or the court is satisfied that it is undesirable or impracticable to place him under supervision.
Where a court, being satisfied as aforesaid, commits a person under 21 years old to such detentionwithout an order under this section having been made, the court shall state the grounds on which it is so satisfied in the warrant of commitment.
Where an order placing a person under supervision with respect to a sum is in force, a magistrates’ court shall not commit him to prison in default of payment of the sum, or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy the sum, unless the court has before committing him taken such steps as may be reasonably practicable to obtain from the person appointed for his supervision an oral or written report on the offender’s conduct and means and has considered any report so obtained, in addition, in a case where an inquiry is required by section 82 above, to that inquiry.
Where a magistrates’ court in a local justice area has, or is treated by any enactment as having, adjudged a person by a conviction to pay a sum and it appears to the court , or where that sum is the subject of a collection order, it appears to the court or the fines officer as the case may be, that the person is residing in England and Wales , the court or the fines officer, as the case may be, may make a transfer of fine order, that is to say, an order making payments enforceable in another local justice area and that area shall be specified in the order.
As from the date on which a transfer of fine order is made with respect to any sum, all functions under this Part of this Act or under Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003 relating to that sum which, if no order had been made, would have been exercisable by any court or person mentioned in column 1 of the Table below shall be exercisable by the court or person mentioned in the corresponding entry in column 2, and not otherwise. Column 1 Column 2 (A) The court which made the order. (B) A court acting in the same local justice In either case, a court acting in the local justice area specified in the order. area as was the fines officer who made the The designated officer for the court mentioned in the row above. The designated officer for the court mentioned in the row above. (A) The fines officer who made the order. (B) A fines officer acting in the same local justice area as was the court which made the order. In either case, a fines officer acting in the local justice area specified in the order.
A court or a fines officer, as the case may be, by which or whom functions in relation to any sum are for the time being exercisable by virtue of a transfer of fine order may make a further transfer of fine order with respect to that sum.
The functions of the court to which subsection (2) above relates shall be deemed to include the court’s under this Part of this Act power to apply to the Secretary of State under any regulations made by him under section 24(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (power to deduct fines etc from universal credit and income support).
In this section and sections 90 and 91 below, references to this Part of this Act do not include references to section 81(1) above.
When this section applies to a sum payable by virtue of a conviction under section 16H—
a reference to a sum that is the subject of a collection order has effect as a reference to a sum set out in the notice of conviction and penalty (within the meaning of section 16L), and
the power in subsection (1) may be exercised by any fines officer.
Where— the designated officer for the court may make an application in relation to the company under section 124 of, or paragraph 12 of Schedule B1 to, the Insolvency Act 1986 (administration or winding up).
a magistrates’ court has, or is treated by any enactment as having, adjudged a company by a conviction to pay a sum; and
the court has issued a warrant of control under section 76(1) above for the purpose of levying the sum; and
it appears on the return to the warrant that the company's money and goods are insufficient to pay the amount outstanding,
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In this section, “the amount outstanding” has the meaning given by paragraph 50(3) of Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Where a magistrates’ court has, or is treated by any enactment as having, adjudged a person by a conviction to pay a sum, and it appears to the court (or where that sum is the subject of a collection order, it appears to the court or the fines officer as the case may be) that he is residing— the court (or the fines officer as the case may be) may order that payment of the sum shall be enforceable by that court of summary jurisdiction or, as the case may be, in that petty sessions district.
within the jurisdiction of a court of summary jurisdiction in Scotland, or
in any petty sessions district in Northern Ireland,
An order under this section shall specify the court of summary jurisdiction by which or petty sessions district in which payment of the sum in question is to be enforceable; and if— the court to be so specified shall be the sheriff court.
that sum is more than £100 or is a fine originally imposed by the Crown Court or the sheriff court, and
payment is to be enforceable in Scotland,
Where an order is made under this section with respect to any sum, any functions under this Part of this Act relating to that sum which, if no such order had been made, would have been exercisable by a magistrates' court in England and Wales or by the designated officer for that court, or by a fines officer shall cease to be so exercisable.
The functions of the court under this Part of this Act which shall cease to be exercisable by virtue of subsection (3) above shall be deemed to include the court’s power to apply to the Secretary of State under regulations made by him under section 24(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (power to deduct fines from universal credit and income support).
When this section applies to a sum payable by virtue of a conviction under section 16H—
a reference to a sum that is the subject of a collection order has effect as a reference to a sum set out in the notice of conviction and penalty (within the meaning of section 16L), and
the power in subsection (1) may be exercised by any fines officer.
Where a transfer of fine order under section 403 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 or Article 95 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 provides that payment of a sum shall be enforceable by a magistrates' court in England and Wales, a magistrates' court (or a fines officer as the case may be) acting in the area in which the person subject to the order resides, and the designated officer for that court, shall, subject to the provisions of this section, have all the like functions under this Part of this Act (or under Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003 as the case may be) in respect of the sum (including power to make an order under section 89 or section 90 above) as if the sum were a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction of that court and as if any order made under the said Act of 1975 or, as the case may be, the said Order of 1981 in respect of the sum before the making of the transfer of fine order had been made by that court.
For the purpose of determing the period of imprisonment which may be imposed under this Act in default of payment of a fine originally imposed by a court in Scotland, Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect as if for the Table set out in paragraph 1 there were substituted the Table set out in section 407 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975.
Where a transfer of fine order under section 403 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 or Article 95 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 provides for the enforcement by a magistrates' court in England and Wales of a fine originally imposed by the Crown Court, a magistrates’ court (or a fines officer as the case may be) acting in the area in which the person subject to the order resides shall have all the like functions under this Part of this Act (or under Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003 as the case may be), exercisable subject to the like restrictions, as if it were the magistrates’ court by which payment of the fine fell to be enforced by virtue of section 132(1) of the Sentencing Code (or as if he were a fines officer acting in the same local justice area as that court as the case may be), and as if any order made under the said Act of 1975 or, as the case may be, the said Order of 1981 in respect of the fine before the making of the transfer of fine order had been made by that court.
A magistrates’ court shall not exercise its power under section 76 above to issue a warrant to commit to prison a person who makes default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by an order of such a court except where the default is under—
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an order made by a court under regulations under section 23 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (payment by individual in respect of legal aid) ; or
an order for the payment of any of the taxes, contributions, premiums or liabilities specified in Schedule 4 to the Administration of Justice Act 1970.
This section does not affect the power of a magistrates’ court to issue such a warrant as aforesaid in the case of default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction, or treated (by any enactment relating to the collection or enforcement of fines, costs, compensation or forfeited recognizances) as so adjudged to be paid.
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“sentence” does not include a committal in default of payment of any sum of money, or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy any sum of money, or for failure to do or abstain from doing anything required to be done or left undone;
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Where default is made in paying a sum ordered to be paid by an affiliation order or order enforceable as an affiliation order, the court shall not enforce payment of the sum under section 76 above except by an order made on complaint.
A complaint under this section shall be made not earlier than the fifteenth day after the making of the order for the enforcement of which it is made ; but subject to this such a complaint may be made at any time notwithstanding anything in this or any other Act.
In relation to complaints under this section, section 55 above shall not apply and section 56 above shall have effect as if the words " if evidence has been received on a previous occasion " were omitted.
Where at the time and place appointed for the hearing or adjourned hearing of a complaint under this section the complainant appears but the defendant does not, the court may proceed in his absence ; but the court shall not begin to hear the complaint in the absence of the defendant unless either it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that the summons was served on him within what appears to the court to be a reasonable time before the hearing or adjourned hearing or the defendant has appeared on a previous occasion to answer the complaint.
If a complaint under this section is substantiated on oath, any justice of the peace acting for the same petty sessions area as a court having jurisdiction to hear the complaint may issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest, whether or not a summons has been previously issued.
A magistrates' court shall not impose imprisonment in respect of a default to which a complaint under this section relates unless the court has inquired in the presence of the defendant whether the default was due to the defendant's wilful refusal or culpable neglect, and shall not impose imprisonment as aforesaid if it is of opinion that the default was not so due; and, without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this subsection, a magistrates' court shall not impose imprisonment as aforesaid—
in a case in which the court has power to make an attachment of earnings order unless the court is of opinion that it is inappropriate to make such an order ;
in any case, in the absence of the defendant.
Notwithstanding anything in section 76(3) above, the period for which a defendant may be committed to prison under a warrant of commitment issued in pursuance of a complaint under this section shall not exceed 6 weeks.
The imprisonment or other detention of a defendant under a warrant of commitment issued as aforesaid shall not operate to discharge the defendant from his liability to pay the sum in respect of which the warrant was issued.
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A magistrates’ court shall not commit any person to prison or other detention in default of payment of a sum enforceable as a civil debt or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum except by an order made on complaint and on proof to the satisfaction of the court that that person has, or has had since the date on which the sum was adjudged to be paid, the means to pay the sum or any instalment of it on which he has defaulted, and refuses or neglects or, as the case may be, has refused or neglected to pay it.
A complaint under this section may be made at any time notwithstanding anything in this or any other Act.
Where on any such complaint the defendant is committed to custody, such costs incurred by the complainant in proceedings for the enforcement of the sum as the court may direct shall be included in the sum on payment of which the defendant may be released from custody.
This Part of this Act shall have effect in relation to a person aged 18 or over but less than 21 as if any reference to committing a person to prison, or fixing a term of imprisonment for a default, were a reference to committing the person to, or, as the case may be, to fixing a term of, detention under section 108 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000; and any reference to warrants of commitment, or to periods of imprisonment imposed for default, shall be construed accordingly.
Where a justice of the peace is satisfied that— the justice shall issue a summons directed to that person requiring him to attend before the court at the time and place appointed in the summons to give evidence or to produce the document or thing.
any person in England or Wales is likely to be able to give material evidence, or produce any document or thing likely to be material evidence, at the summary trial of an information or hearing of a complaint ... by a magistrates' court, and
it is in the interests of justice to issue a summons under this subsection to secure the attendance of that person to give evidence or produce the document or thing,
If a justice of the peace is satisfied by evidence on oath of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above, and also that it is probable that a summons under that subsection would not procure the attendance of the person in question, the justice may instead of issuing a summons issue a warrant to arrest that person and bring him before such a court as aforesaid at a time and place specified in the warrant; but a warrant shall not be issued under this subsection where the attendance is required for the hearing of a complaint ... .
On the failure of any person to attend before a magistrates’ court in answer to a summons under this section, if— the court may issue a warrant to arrest him and bring him before the court at a time and place specified in the warrant.
the court is satisfied by evidence on oath that he is likely to be able to give material evidence or produce any document or thing likely to be material evidence in the proceedings; and
it is proved on oath, or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that he has been duly served with the summons, and that a reasonable sum has been paid or tendered to him for costs and expenses; and
it appears to the court that there is no just excuse for the failure,
A summons may also be issued under subsection (1) above if the justice is satisfied that the person in question is outside the British Islands but no warrant shall be issued under subsection (2) above unless the justice is satisfied by evidence on oath that the person in question is in England or Wales.
If any person attending or brought before a magistrates’ court refuses without just excuse to be sworn or give evidence, or to produce any document or thing, the court may commit him to custody until the expiration of such period not exceeding one month as may be specified in the warrant or until he sooner gives evidence or produces the document or thing or impose on him a fine not exceeding £2,500 or both.
A justice may refuse to issue a summons under subsection (1) above in relation to the summary trial of an information if he is not satisfied that an application for the summons was made by a party to the case as soon as reasonably practicable after the accused pleaded not guilty.
In relation to the summary trial of an information, subsection (2) above shall have effect as if the reference to the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above included a reference to the matter mentioned in subsection (2B) above.
A fine imposed under subsection (4) above shall be deemed, for the purposes of any enactment, to be a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction.
Subsection (2) below applies where a justice of the peace . . . is satisfied that—
any person in England or Wales is likely to be able to make on behalf of the prosecutor a written statement containing material evidence, or produce on behalf of the prosecutor a document or other exhibit likely to be material evidence, for the purposes of proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices, and
it is in the interests of justice to issue a summons under this section to secure the attendance of that person to give evidence or to produce the document or other exhibit, . . .
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In such a case the justice shall issue a summons directed to that person requiring him to attend before a justice at the time and place appointed in the summons to have his evidence taken as a deposition or to produce the document or other exhibit.
If a justice of the peace is satisfied by evidence on oath of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above, and also that it is probable that a summons under subsection (2) above would not procure the result required by it, the justice may instead of issuing a summons issue a warrant to arrest the person concerned and bring him before a justice at the time and place specified in the warrant.
A summons may also be issued under subsection (2) above if the justice is satisfied that the person concerned is outside the British Islands, but no warrant may be issued under subsection (3) above unless the justice is satisfied by evidence on oath that the person concerned is in England or Wales.
If— the justice may issue a warrant to arrest him and bring him before a justice at a time and place specified in the warrant.
a person fails to attend before a justice in answer to a summons under this section,
the justice is satisfied by evidence on oath that he is likely to be able to make a statement or produce a document or other exhibit as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above,
it is proved on oath, or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that he has been duly served with the summons and that a reasonable sum has been paid or tendered to him for costs and expenses, and
it appears to the justice that there is no just excuse for the failure,
Where— the time appointed in the summons or specified in the warrant shall be such as to enable the evidence to be taken as a deposition before a magistrates’ court begins to inquire into the offence concerned as examining justices.
a summons is issued under subsection (2) above or a warrant is issued under subsection (3) or (5) above, and
the summons or warrant is issued with a view to securing that a person has his evidence taken as a deposition,
If any person attending or brought before a justice in pursuance of this section refuses without just excuse to have his evidence taken as a deposition, or to produce the document or other exhibit, the justice may do one or both of the following—
commit him to custody until the expiration of such period not exceeding one month as may be specified in the summons or warrant or until he sooner has his evidence taken as a deposition or produces the document or other exhibit;
impose on him a fine not exceeding £2,500.
A fine imposed under subsection (7) above shall be deemed, for the purposes of any enactment, to be a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction.
If in pursuance of this section a person has his evidence taken as a deposition, the designated officer for the justice concerned shall as soon as is reasonably practicable send a copy of the deposition to the prosecutor.
If in pursuance of this section a person produces an exhibit which is a document, the designated officer for the justice concerned shall as soon as is reasonably practicable send a copy of the document to the prosecutor.
If in pursuance of this section a person produces an exhibit which is not a document, the designated officer for the justice concerned shall as soon as is reasonably practicable inform the prosecutor of the fact and of the nature of the exhibit.
Subject to the provisions of any enactment or rule of law authorising the reception of unsworn evidence, evidence given before a magistrates’ court shall be given on oath.
Where a magistrates’ court has ordered one person to pay to another any sum of money, and proceedings are taken before that or any other magistrates’ court to enforce payment of that sum, then— shall be admissible as evidence that the sum has not been paid to him, unless the court requires the designated officer or other person to be called as a witness.
if the person to whom the sum is ordered to be paid is the designated officer for a magistrates' court , a certificate purporting to be signed by the designated officer that the sum has not been paid to him; and
in any other case a document purporting to be a statutory declaration by the person to whom the sum is ordered to be paid that the sum has not been paid to him,
A statement in writing to the effect that wages of any amount have been paid to a person during any period, purporting to be signed by or on behalf of his employer, shall be evidence of the facts therein stated in any proceedings taken before a magistrates’ court—
for enforcing payment by the person to whom the wages are stated to have been paid of a sum adjudged to be paid by a summary conviction or order; ...
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Where the defendant to an information or complaint relies for his defence on any exception, exemption, proviso, excuse or qualification, whether or not it accompanies the description of the offence or matter of complaint in the enactment creating the offence or on which the complaint is founded, the burden of proving the exception, exemption, proviso, excuse or qualification shall be on him; and this notwithstanding that the information or complaint contains an allegation negativing the exception, exemption, proviso, excuse or qualification.
In committal proceedings a written statement by any person shall, if the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) below are satisfied, be admissible as evidence to the like extent as oral evidence to the like effect by that person.
The said conditions are—
the statement purports to be signed by the person who made it;
the statement contains a declaration by that person to the effect that it is true to the best of his knowledge and belief and that he made the statement knowing that, if it were tendered in evidence, he would be liable to prosecution if he wilfully stated in it anything which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true;
before the statement is tendered in evidence, a copy of the statement is given, by or on behalf of the party proposing to tender it, to each of the other parties to the proceedings; and
none of the other parties, before the statement is tendered in evidence at the committal proceedings, objects to the statement being so tendered under this section.
The following provisions shall also have effect in relation to any written statement tendered in evidence under this section, that is to say—
if the statement is made by a person under 21 years old, it shall give his age ;
if it is made by a person who cannot read it, it shall be read to him before he signs it and shall be accompanied by a declaration by the person who so read the statement to the effect that it was so read; and
if it refers to any other document as an exhibit, the copy given to any other party to the proceedings under subsection (2)(c) above shall be accompanied by a copy of that document or by such information as may be necessary in order to enable the party to whom it is given to inspect that document or a copy thereof.
Notwithstanding that a written statement made by any person may be admissible in committal proceedings by virtue of this section, the court before which the proceedings are held may, of its own motion or on the application of any party to the proceedings, require that person to attend before the court and give evidence.
So much of any statement as is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) above or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing, and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
Any document or object referred to as an exhibit and identified in a written statement tendered in evidence under this section shall be treated as if it had been produced as an exhibit and identified in court by the maker of the statement.
Subsection (3) of section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (reading of deposition as evidence at the trial) shall apply to any written statement tendered in evidence in committal proceedings under this section as it applies to a deposition taken in such proceedings, but in its application to any such statement that subsection shall have effect as if paragraph (b) thereof were omitted.
In section 2(2) of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 (procedure for preferring bills of indictment) the reference in proviso (i) to facts disclosed in any deposition taken before a justice in the presence of the accused shall be construed as including a reference to facts disclosed in any such written statement as aforesaid.
Section 28 above shall not apply to any such statement as aforesaid.
A person whose written statement is tendered in evidence in committal proceedings under this section shall be treated for the purposes of section 1 of the Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965 (witness orders) as a witness who has been examined by the court.
In any proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring as examining justices into an offence to which this section applies, a statement made in writing by or taken in writing from a child shall be admissible in evidence of any matter.
a child shall not be called as a witness for the prosecution ; but
any statement made in writing by or taken in writing from the child shall be admissible in evidence of any matter of which his oral testimony would be admissible,
This section applies—
to an offence which involves an assault, or injury or a threat of injury to, a person;
to an offence under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (cruelty to persons under 16);
to an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, . . . the Protection of Children Act 1978 or Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 ; and
to an offence which consists of attempting or conspiring to commit, or of aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or inciting the commission of, an offence falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above.
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In this section “child” has the same meaning as in section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
Where a person is convicted of a summary offence by a magistrates’ court, other than a youth court, and— the court may take account of any such previous conviction so specified as if the accused had appeared and admitted it.
it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such other manner as may be prescribed, that not less than 7 days previously a notice was served on the accused in the prescribed form and manner specifying any alleged previous conviction of the accused of a summary offence proposed to be brought to the notice of the court in the event of his conviction of the offence charged; and
the accused is not present in person before the court,
Where a person appears to a justice of the peace to be able and willing to give material information relating to an indictable offence or to any person accused of an indictable offence, and— the justice may take in writing the deposition of the sick person on oath.
the justice is satisfied, on a representation made by a duly qualified medical practitioner, that the person able and willing to make the statement is dangerously ill and unlikely to recover; and
it is not practicable for examining justices to take the evidence of the sick person in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules,
A deposition taken under this section may be given in evidence before examining justices inquiring into an information against the offender or in respect of the offence to which the deposition relates, but subject to the same conditions as apply, under section 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1867, to its being given in evidence upon the trial of the offender or offence.
If any person in a written statement admitted in evidence in criminal proceedings by virtue of section 5B above wilfully makes a statement material in those proceedings which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true, he shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine or both.
The Perjury Act 1911 shall have effect as if this section were contained in that Act.
If, in any solemn declaration, certificate or other writing made or given for the purpose of its being used in pursuance of rules of court as evidence of the service of any document or the handwriting or seal of any person, a person makes a statement that he knows to be false in a material particular, or recklessly makes any statement that is false in a material particular, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or both.
A person convicted by a magistrates’ court may appeal to the Crown Court—
if he pleaded guilty, against his sentence;
if he did not, against the conviction or sentence.
A person sentenced by a magistrates’ court for an offence in respect of which ... an order for conditional discharge has been previously made may appeal to the Crown Court against the sentence.
Section 82 of the Sentencing Code (under which a conviction of an offence for which ... an order for conditional or absolute discharge is made is deemed not to be a conviction except for certain purposes) shall not prevent an appeal under this Act, whether against conviction or otherwise.
In this section “sentence” includes any order made on conviction by a magistrates’ court, not being— and also includes a declaration of relevance, within the meaning of section 23 of the Football Spectators Act 1989.
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an order for the payment of costs;
an order under ... section 37(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (which enables a court to order the destruction of an animal); or
an order made in pursuance of any enactment under which the court has no discretion as to the making of the order or its terms
A person convicted under section 16H may not appeal under this section against the conviction or sentence, except a sentence imposed under section 16M(5)(b).
Subsection (3)(d) above does not prevent an appeal against a surcharge imposed under section 42 of the Sentencing Code.
Subsection (3) does not prevent an appeal against an order under section 46 of the Sentencing Code (criminal courts charge).
Where notice to abandon an appeal has been duly given by the appellant—
the court against whose decision the appeal was brought may issue process for enforcing that decision, subject to anything already suffered or done under it by the appellant; and
the said court may, on the application of the other party to the appeal, order the appellant to pay to that party such costs as appear to the court to be just and reasonable in respect of expenses properly incurred by that party in connection with the appeal before notice of the abandonment was given to that party.
In this section “appeal” means an appeal from a magistrates’ court to the Crown Court, and the reference to a notice to abandon an appeal is a reference to a notice shown to the satisfaction of the magistrates’ court to have been given in accordance with rules of court .
After the determination by the Crown Court of an appeal from a magistrates’ court the decision appealed against as confirmed or varied by the Crown Court, or any decision of the Crown Court substituted for the decision appealed against, may, without prejudice to the powers of the Crown Court to enforce the decision, be enforced— and the decision of the Crown Court shall have effect as if it had been made by the magistrates’ court against whose decision the appeal is brought.
by the issue by the court by which the decision appealed against was given of any process that it could have issued if it had decided the case as the Crown Court decided it;
by the issue by the court by which the decision appealed against was given of any process that it could have issued if it had decided the case as the Crown Court decided it;
so far as the nature of any process already issued to enforce the decision appealed against permits, by that process ;
so far as the nature of any process already issued to enforce the decision appealed against permits, by that process;
Any person who was a party to any proceeding before a magistrates’ court or is aggrieved by the conviction, order, determination or other proceeding of the court may question the proceeding on the ground that it is wrong in law or is in excess of jurisdiction by applying to the justices composing the court to state a case for the opinion of the High Court on the question of law or jurisdiction involved; but a person shall not make an application under this section in respect of a decision against which he has a right of appeal to the High Court or which by virtue of any enactment passed after 31st December 1879 is final.
An application under subsection (1) above shall be made within 21 days after the day on which the decision of the magistrates’ court was given.
For the purpose of subsection (2) above, the day on which the decision of the magistrates’ court is given shall, where the court has adjourned the trial of an information after conviction, be the day on which the court sentences or otherwise deals with the offender.
On the making of an application under this section in respect of a decision any right of the applicant to appeal against the decision to the Crown Court shall cease.
If the justices are of opinion that an application under this section is frivolous, they may refuse to state a case, and, if the applicant so requires, shall give him a certificate stating that the application has been refused; but the justices shall not refuse to state a case if the application is made by or under the direction of the Attorney General.
Where justices refuse to state a case, the High Court may, on the application of the person who applied for the case to be stated, make an order of mandamus requiring the justices to state a case.
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Any conviction, order, determination or other proceeding of a magistrates’ court varied by the High Court on an appeal by case stated, and any judgment or order of the High Court on such an appeal, may be enforced as if it were a decision of the magistrates’ court from which the appeal was brought.
Any order, determination or other proceeding of a magistrates' court varied by the family court on an appeal under section 111A, and any judgment or order of the family court on such an appeal, may be enforced as if it were a decision of the magistrates' court from which the appeal was brought.
This section applies in relation to proceedings under the Child Support Act 1991 in a magistrates' court.
Any person who was a party to any proceeding before the court, or is aggrieved by the order, determination or other proceeding of the court, may question the proceeding on the ground that it is wrong in law or is in excess of jurisdiction by appealing to the family court.
But a person may not appeal under subsection (2) in respect of a decision if-
the person has a right of appeal to the county court or the family court against the decision otherwise than under this section, or
the decision is final by virtue of any enactment passed after 31st December 1879.
A notice of appeal under subsection (2) shall be filed within 21 days after the day on which the decision of the magistrates' court was given.
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Where a person has given notice of appeal to the Crown Court against the decision of a magistrates’ court or has applied to a magistrates’ court to state a case for the opinion of the High Court, then, if he is in custody, the magistrates’ court may , subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, grant him bail.
If a person is granted bail under subsection (1) above, the time and place at which he is to appear (except in the event of the determination in respect of which the case is stated being reversed by the High Court) shall be— and any recognizance that may be taken from him or from any surety for him shall be conditioned accordingly.
if he has given notice of appeal, the Crown Court at the time appointed for the hearing of the appeal;
if he has applied for the statement of a case, the magistrates’ court at such time within 10 days after the judgment of the High Court has been given as may be specified by the magistrates’ court;
Subsection (1) above shall not apply where the accused has been committed to the Crown Court for sentence under section 37 above or section 14, 15, 16 , 16A or 17 of the Sentencing Code.
Section 37(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1948 (which relates to the currency of a sentence while a person is released on bail by the High Court) shall apply to a person released on bail by a magistrates’ court under this section pending the hearing of a case stated as it applies to a person released on bail by the High Court under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.
Justices to whom application has been made to state a case for the opinion of the High Court on any proceeding of a magistrates’ court shall not be required to state the case until the applicant has entered into a recognizance, with or without sureties, before the magistrates’ court, conditioned to prosecute the appeal without delay and to submit to the judgment of the High Court and pay such costs as that Court may award; and (except in any criminal matter) a designated officer for the court shall not be required to deliver the case to the applicant until the applicant has paid the fees payable for the case and for the recognizances to the designated officer ....
The power of a magistrates’ court on the complaint of any person to adjudge any other person to enter into a recognizance, with or without sureties, to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour towards the complainant shall be exercised by order on complaint.
Where a complaint is made under this section, the power of the court to remand the defendant under subsection (5) of section 55 above shall not be subject to the restrictions imposed by subsection (6) of that section.
If any person ordered by a magistrates’ court under subsection (1) above to enter into a recognizance, with or without sureties, to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour fails to comply with the order, the court may commit him to custody for a period not exceeding 6 months or until he sooner complies with the order.
On complaint being made to a justice of the peace . . . by a surety to a recognizance to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour entered into before a magistrates’ court that the person bound by the recognizance as principal has been, or is about to be, guilty of conduct constituting a breach of the conditions of the recognizance, the justice may. . . issue a warrant to arrest the principal and bring him before a magistrates’ court . . . or a summons requiring the principal to appear before such a court; but the justice shall not issue a warrant unless the complaint is in writing and substantiated on oath.
The magistrates’ court before which the principal appears or is brought in pursuance of such a summons or warrant as aforesaid may, unless it adjudges the recognizance to be forfeited, order the recognizance to be discharged and order the principal to enter into a new recognizance, with or without sureties, to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour.
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A justice of the peace on issuing a warrant for the arrest of any person may grant him bail by endorsing the warrant for bail, that is to say, by endorsing the warrant with a direction in accordance with subsection (2) below.
A direction for bail endorsed on a warrant under subsection (1) above shall— and the endorsement shall fix the amounts in which any sureties and, in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, that person is or are to be bound.
in the case of bail in criminal proceedings, state that the person arrested is to be released on bail subject to a duty to appear before such magistrates’ court and at such time as may be specified in the endorsement;
in the case of bail otherwise than in criminal proceedings, state that the person arrested is to be released on bail on his entering into such a recognizance (with or without sureties) conditioned for his appearance before a magistrates’ court as may be specified in the endorsement;
Subsection (1) is subject to section 115(1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (bail decisions in murder cases to be made by Crown Court judge).
Where a warrant has been endorsed for bail under subsection (1) above—
where the person arrested is to be released on bail on his entering into a recognizance without sureties, it shall not be necessary to take him to a police station, but if he is so taken, he shall be released from custody on his entering into the recognizance; and
where he is to be released on his entering into a recognizance with sureties, he shall be taken to a police station on his arrest, and the custody officer there shall (subject to his approving any surety tendered in compliance with the endorsement) release him from custody as directed in the endorsement.
Subject to subsection (2) below, where a magistrates’ court has committed a person to custody in default of finding sureties, the court may, on application by or on behalf of the person committed, and after hearing fresh evidence, reduce the amount in which it is proposed that any surety should be bound or dispense with any of the sureties or otherwise deal with the case as it thinks just.
Subsection (1) above does not apply in relation to a person granted bail in criminal proceedings.
Where a magistrates’ court has power to take any recognizance, the court may, instead of taking it, fix the amount in which the principal and his sureties, if any, are to be bound; and thereafter the recognizance may be taken by any such person as may be prescribed.
Where, in pursuance of this section, a recognizance is entered into otherwise than before the court that fixed the amount of it, the same consequences shall follow as if it had been entered into before that court; and references in this or any other Act to the court before which a recognizance was entered into shall be construed accordingly.
Nothing in this section shall enable a magistrates’ court to alter the amount of a recognizance fixed by the High Court or the Crown Court.
This section applies where—
a recognizance to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour has been entered into before a magistrates’ court; or
any recognizance is conditioned for the appearance of a person before a magistrates’ court, or for his doing any other thing connected with a proceeding before a magistrates’ court.
If, in any other case falling within subsection (1) above, the recognizance appears to the magistrates’ court to be forfeited, the court may— but in a case falling within subsection (1)(a) above, the court shall not declare the recognizance to be forfeited except by order made on complaint.
declare the recognizance to be forfeited; and
adjudge each person bound by it, whether as principal or surety, to pay the sum in which he is bound;
If, in the case of a recognizance which is conditioned for the appearance of an accused before a magistrates’ court, the accused fails to appear in accordance with the condition, the court shall— and on that date the court may proceed in the absence of any surety if it is satisfied that he has been served with the summons.
declare the recognizance to be forfeited;
issue a summons directed to each person bound by the recognizance as surety, requiring him to appear before the court on a date specified in the summons to show cause why he should not be adjudged to pay the sum in which he is bound;
The court which declares the recognizance to be forfeited may, instead of adjudging any person to pay the whole sum in which he is bound, adjudge him to pay part only of the sum or remit the sum.
Payment of any sum adjudged to be paid under this section, including any costs awarded against the defendant, may be enforced, and any such sum shall be applied, as if it were a fine and as if the adjudication were a summary conviction of an offence not punishable with imprisonment and so much of section 85(1) above as empowers a court to remit fines shall not apply to the sum but so much thereof as relates to remission after a term of imprisonment has been imposed shall so apply; but at any time before the issue of a warrant of commitment to enforce payment of the sum, or before the sale of goods under a warrant of control to satisfy the sum, the court may remit the whole or any part of the sum either absolutely or on such conditions as the court thinks just.
A recognizance such as is mentioned in this section shall not be enforced otherwise than in accordance with this section, and accordingly shall not be transmitted to the Crown Court nor shall its forfeiture be certified to that Court.
A magistrates’ court shall not try an information summarily or hear a complaint except when composed of at least 2 justices unless the trial or hearing is one that by virtue of any enactment may take place before a single justice.
A magistrates’ court shall not hold an inquiry into the means of an offender for the purposes of section 82 above or determine under that section at a hearing at which the offender is not present whether to issue a warrant of commitment except when composed of at least 2 justices.
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try summarily an information for an indictable offence or hear a complaint except when sitting in a petty-sessional court-house;
try an information for a summary offence or hold an inquiry into the means of an offender for the purposes of section 82 above, or impose imprisonment, except when sitting in a petty-sessional court-house or an occasional court-house.
Subject to the provisions of any enactment to the contrary, a magistrates' court must sit in open court if it is—
trying summarily an information for an indictable offence,
trying an information for a summary offence,
imposing imprisonment,
hearing a complaint, or
holding an inquiry into the means of an offender for the purposes of section 82.
A magistrates’ court composed of a single justice . . . , shall not impose imprisonment for a period exceeding 14 days or order a person to pay more than £1.
Subject to the provisions of subsection (7) below, the justices composing the court before which any proceedings take place shall be present during the whole of the proceedings; but, if during the course of the proceedings any justice absents himself, he shall cease to act further therein and, if the remaining justices are enough to satisfy the requirements of the preceding provisions of this section, the proceedings may continue before a court composed of those justices.
A magistrates' court that is trying a summary offence in accordance with section 16A is restricted to the following in dealing with the accused for the offence—
imposing a fine;
imposing a penalty under section 102(3)(aa) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 or section 29, 35A or 37 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (penalties imposed for certain offences in relation to vehicle excise licences);
ordering an amount to be paid under section 30, 36 or 38 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (liability to additional duty);
making an order under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Sentencing Code (compensation orders);
ordering payment of a surcharge under section 42 of the Sentencing Code (victim surcharge);
making an order as to costs to be paid by the accused to the prosecutor under section 18 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985;
making an order as to costs to be paid by the accused by virtue of section 19 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985;
ordering payment of a charge under section 46 of the Sentencing Code (criminal courts charge);
making an order under section 30A of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (order to disregard penalty points if approved course attended);
making an order under section 34 or 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (disqualification from driving);
making an order under section 44 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (endorsement of a driving record);
making an application to the Secretary of State by virtue of section 24(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (benefit deductions);
making an attachment of earnings order under Part 3 of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003;
making an application for benefits deductions to the Secretary of State under Part 3 of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003;
making a collection order under Part 4 of Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003;
discharging the accused absolutely or conditionally.
Where the trial of an information is adjourned after the accused has been convicted and before he is sentenced or otherwise dealt with, the court which sentences or deals with him need not be composed of the same justices as that which convicted him; but, where among the justices composing the court which sentences or deals with an offender there are any who were not sitting when he was convicted, the court which sentences or deals with the offender shall before doing so make such inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the case as will enable the justices who were not sitting when the offender was convicted to be fully acquainted with those facts and circumstances.
The limit in subsection (5) does not apply to fines imposed as described in subsection (5A).
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A party to any proceedings before a magistrates’ court may be represented by a legal representative.
Subject to subsection(3) below, an absent party so represented shall be deemed not to be absent.
Appearance of a party by a legal representative shall not satisfy any provision of any enactment or any condition of a recognizance expressly requiring his presence.
No objection shall be allowed to any information or complaint, or to any summons or warrant to procure the presence of the defendant, for any defect in it in substance or in form, or for any variance between it and the evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecutor or complainant at the hearing of the information or complaint.
If it appears to a magistrates’ court that any variance between a summons or warrant and the evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecutor or complainant is such that the defendant has been misled by the variance, the court shall, on the application of the defendant, adjourn the hearing.
In the application of this section to proceedings conducted in accordance with section 16A—
a reference in subsection (1) or (2) to evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecutor at a hearing is to be read as a reference to evidence placed before the court on behalf of the prosecutor, and
subsection (2) is to be read as if for the words from “has been misled” to the end there were substituted “ is likely to have been misled by the variance, the court shall treat the written charge as not being appropriate for trial in accordance with section 16A ”.
A warrant or summons issued by a justice of the peace shall not cease to have effect by reason of his death or his ceasing to be a justice.
A warrant of arrest issued by a justice of the peace shall remain in force until it is executed or withdrawn or it ceases to have effect in accordance with rules of court.
A warrant of arrest, warrant of commitment, warrant of detention, warrant of control or search warrant issued by a justice of the peace may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by any person to whom it is directed or by any constable acting within his police area.
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Section 13(1) and (2) of the Indictable Offences Act 1848 (which relate, among other things, to the execution in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands of warrants of arrest for the offences referred to in those sections) shall, so far as applicable, apply to—
warrants of arrest issued under section 1 above for offences other than indictable offences ;
warrants of arrest issued under section 13 above;
warrants of arrest issued under section 97 above other than warrants issued in bastardy proceedings to arrest a witness;. . .
warrants of commitment issued under this Act ;and
warrants of arrest issued under section 97A above;
warrants of arrest issued under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and
warrants of arrest issued under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4 to the Sentencing Code (offender referred to court by youth offender panel).
This section applies to a warrant of control issued by a justice of the peace.
The person to whom it is directed must endorse the warrant as soon as possible after receiving it.
For the purposes of this section a person endorses a warrant by inserting on the back the date and time when he received it.
No fee may be charged for endorsing a warrant under this section.
A warrant to which this subsection applies may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by a civilian enforcement officer.
In this section “civilian enforcement officer”, in relation to a warrant, means a person who—
is employed by an authority of a prescribed class which performs functions in relation to any area specified in the warrant; and
is authorised in the prescribed manner to execute warrants.
The warrants to which subsection (1) above applies are any warrant of arrest, commitment, detention or control issued by a justice of the peace—
under any provision specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Lord Chancellor . . . ; or
for the enforcement of a court order of any description so specified.
Subsection (1) also applies to any warrant of control issued under Schedule 5 to the Courts Act 2003 by a court or fines officer.
Where a warrant has been executed by a civilian enforcement officer, a written statement indicating— shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or , in the case of a warrant of control, against whom the warrant is issued , be shown to him as soon as practicable.
the name of the officer;
the authority by which he is employed; and
that he is authorised in the prescribed manner to execute warrants,
The power to make orders conferred by subsection (3) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
A warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies may also be executed anywhere in England and Wales—
by an individual who is an approved enforcement agency;
by a director of a company which is an approved enforcement agency;
by a partner in a partnership which is an approved enforcement agency; or
by an employee of an approved enforcement agency who is authorised in writing by the agency to execute warrants.
In this section “approved enforcement agency”, in relation to a warrant, means a person or body approved by the Lord Chancellor .
The Lord Chancellor must maintain a register containing the names of all persons and bodies approved by him under subsection (2) and must make such arrangements as he considers appropriate for making the register available for inspection.
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Where a warrant has been executed by a person mentioned in subsection (1) above, a written statement indicating the matters specified in subsection (5) below shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or , in the case of a warrant of control, against whom the warrant is issued , be shown to him as soon as practicable.
The matters referred to in subsection (4) above are—
the name of the person by whom the warrant was executed;
if he is a director of, or partner in, an approved enforcement agency, the fact that he is a director of, or partner in, that agency;
if he is an employee of an approved enforcement agency, the fact that he is an employee authorised in writing by that agency to execute warrants; and
the fact that his name, or (where paragraph (b) or (c) above applies) that of the agency indicated, is contained in the register maintained by the Lord Chancellor under subsection (2A) .
A decision by the Lord Chancellor to revoke the approval of a person or body under subsection (2) does not have effect to revoke the approval until the Lord Chancellor has informed the person or body of the decision.
Schedule 4A to this Act, which confers powers on persons authorised under section 125A or 125B for the purpose of executing warrants for the enforcement of fines and other orders, shall have effect.
Basic personal information held by a relevant public authority may, on the application of the designated officer for a magistrates' court, be supplied by the authority to him ... for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of a section 125A(1) warrant which is so specified.
In this section—
“relevant public authority” means a Minister of the Crown, government department, local authority or chief officer of police specified in an order made by the Lord Chancellor; and
Information supplied to any person under subsection (1) above, or this subsection, for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of a section 125A(1) warrant may be supplied by him for that purpose to—
any person entitled to execute the warrant;
any employee of a body or person who, for the purposes of section 125B above, is an approved enforcement agency in relation to the warrant; or
any ... person appointed under section 2(1) of the Courts Act 2003.
A person who intentionally or recklessly— commits an offence.
discloses information supplied to him under this section otherwise than as permitted by subsection (3) above; or
uses information so supplied otherwise than for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of the section 125A(1) warrant concerned,
But it is not an offence under subsection (4) above—
to disclose any information in accordance with any enactment or order of a court or for the purposes of any proceedings before a court; or
to disclose any information which has previously been lawfully disclosed to the public.
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) above is liable—
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
The power to make orders conferred by subsection (2) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
A magistrates' court may make a disclosure order if satisfied that it is necessary to do so for the purpose of executing a warrant to which this section applies.
This section applies to a warrant of arrest, commitment, detention or control issued by a justice of the peace in connection with the enforcement of a fine or other order imposed or made on conviction.
A disclosure order is an order requiring the person to whom it is directed to supply the designated officer for the court with any of the following information about the person to whom the warrant relates—
his name, date of birth or national insurance number;
his address (or any of his addresses).
A disclosure order may be made only on the application of a person entitled to execute the warrant.
This section applies to the Crown as it applies to other persons.
Information supplied to a person under a disclosure order, or under this subsection, may be supplied by him to—
the applicant for the order or any other person entitled to execute the warrant concerned;
any employee of a body or person who, for the purposes of section 125B above, is an approved enforcement agency in relation to the warrant;
any ... person appointed under section 2(1) of the Courts Act 2003.
A person who intentionally or recklessly— commits an offence.
discloses information supplied under a disclosure order otherwise than as permitted by subsection (1) above, or
uses information so supplied otherwise than for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the warrant concerned,
But it is not an offence under subsection (2) above—
to disclose any information in accordance with any enactment or order of a court or for the purposes of any proceedings before a court; or
to disclose any information which has previously been lawfully disclosed to the public.
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) above is liable—
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
In this section “disclosure order” has the meaning given by section 125CA(3) above.
A warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies may be executed by any person entitled to execute it even though it is not in his possession at the time.
A warrant to which this subsection applies (and which is not a warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies) may be executed by a constable even though it is not in his possession at the time.
Subsection (2) above applies to—
a warrant to arrest a person in connection with an offence;
a warrant under section 313, 314 or 317 of the Armed Forces Act 2006;
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a warrant under section 47(8) of the Family Law Act 1996 (failure to comply with occupation order or non-molestation order);
a warrant under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (unwilling witnesses);
a warrant under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4 to the Sentencing Code (offenders referred to court by youth offender panel); and
a warrant under section 55, 76, 93, 97 or 97A above.
Where by virtue of this section a warrant is executed by a person not in possession of it, it shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or , in the case of a warrant of control, against whom the warrant is issued , be shown to him as soon as practicable.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by any enactment and subject to subsection (2) below, a magistrates’ court shall not try an information or hear a complaint unless the information was laid, or the complaint made, within 6 months from the time when the offence was committed, or the matter of complaint arose.
Nothing in— shall apply in relation to any indictable offence.
subsection (1) above; or
subject to subsection (4) below, any other enactment (however framed or worded) which, as regards any offence to which it applies, would but for this section impose a time-limit on the power of a magistrates’ court to try an information summarily or impose a limitation on the time for taking summary proceedings,
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) above, that paragraph includes enactments which impose a time-limit that applies only in certain circumstances (for example, where the proceedings are not instituted by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions or some other specified authority).
Where, as regards any indictable offence, there is imposed by any enactment (however framed or worded, and whether falling within subsection (2) (b) above or not) a limitation on the time for taking proceedings on indictment for that offence no summary proceedings for that offence shall be taken after the latest time for taking proceedings on indictment.
Where a magistrates’ court has power to remand any person, then, subject to section 4 of the Bail Act 1976 and to any other enactment modifying that power, the court may— and may, in a case falling within paragraph (c) above, instead of taking recognizances in accordance with that paragraph, fix the amount of the recognizances with a view to their being taken subsequently in accordance with section 119 above.
remand him in custody, that is to say, commit him to custody to be brought before the court , subject to subsection (3A) below, at the end of the period of remand or at such earlier time as the court may require; or
where it is inquiring into or trying an offence alleged to have been committed by that person or has convicted him of an offence, remand him on bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976, that is to say, by directing him to appear as provided in subsection (4) below; or
except in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, remand him on bail by taking from him a recognizance (with or without sureties) conditioned as provided in that subsection;
Where the court fixes the amount of a recognizance under subsection (1) above or section 8(3) of the Bail Act 1976 with a view to its being taken subsequently the court shall in the meantime commit the person so remanded to custody in accordance with paragraph (a) of the said subsection (1).
it shall be the duty of the court—
to explain the effect of subsections (3A) and (3B) below to him in ordinary language; and
to inform him in ordinary language that, notwithstanding the procedure for a remand without his being brought before a court, he would be brought before a court for the hearing and determination of at least every fourth application for his remand, and of every application for his remand heard at a time when it appeared to the court that he had no legal representativeacting for him in the case.
Where a person is brought before the court after remand, the court may further remand him.
For the purposes of subsection (1A) above a person is to be treated as legally represented in a court if, but only if, he has the assistance of a legal representative to represent him in the proceedings in that court.
“Act” includes local Act;
before that court at the end of the period of remand; or
at every time and place to which during the course of the proceedings the hearing may be from time to time adjourned;
“penalty” means—
at every time and place to which during the course of the proceedings the hearing may be from time to time adjourned and also before the Crown Court in the event of the person so bailed being committed for trial there.
it has previously remanded him in custody for the same offence; and
penalty points,
he is before the court,
compensation,
After explaining to an accused as provided by subsection (1A) above the court shall ask him whether he consents to hearing and determination of such applications in his absence.
Where a person is directed to appear or a recognizance is conditioned for a person’s appearance in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (4) above, the fixing at any time of the time for him next to appear shall be deemed to be a remand; but nothing in this subsection or subsection (4) above shall deprive the court of power at any subsequent hearing to remand him afresh.
Subject to the provisions of sections 128A and 129 below, a magistrates’ court shall not remand a person for a period exceeding 8 clear days, except that—
if the court remands him on bail, it may remand him for a longer period if he and the other party consent;
where the court adjourns a trial under section 10(3) above or section 11 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, the court may remand him for the period of the adjournment;
where a person is charged with an offence triable either way, then, if it falls to the court to try the case summarily but the court is not at the time so constituted, and sitting in such a place, as will enable it to proceed with the trial, the court may remand him until the next occasion on which it will be practicable for the court to be so constituted, and to sit in such a place, as aforesaid, notwithstanding that the remand is for a period exceeding 8 clear days.
A magistrates’ court having power to remand a person in custody may, if the remand is for a period not exceeding 3 clear days, commit him to detention at a police station.
Subject to subsection (3B) below, where a person has been remanded in custody and the remand was not a remand under section 128A below for a period exceeding 8 clear days,, the court may further remand him (otherwise than in the exercise of the power conferred by that section)on an adjournment under section 5, 10(1) , 17C, 18(4) or 24C above without his being brought before it if it is satisfied—
that he gave his consent, either in response to a question under subsection (1C) above or otherwise, to the hearing and determination in his absence of any application for his remand on an adjournment of the case under any of those provisions; and
that he has not by virtue of this subsection been remanded without being brought before the court on more than two such applications immediately preceding the application which the court is hearing; and
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that he has not withdrawn his consent to their being so heard and determined.
The court may not exercise the power conferred by subsection (3A) above if it appears to the court, on an application for a further remand being made to it, that the person to whom the application relates has no legal representative acting for him in the case (whether present in court or not).
Where— the court shall adjourn the case and remand him in custody for the period for which it stands adjourned.
a person has been remanded in custody on an adjournment of a case under section 5, 10(1) , 17C , 18(4) or 24C above; and
an application is subsequently made for his further remand on such an adjournment; and
he is not brought before the court which hears and determines the application; and
that court is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (3A) above,
An adjournment under subsection (3C) above shall be for the shortest period that appears to the court to make it possible for the accused to be brought before it.
Where—
on an adjournment of a case under section 5, 10(1) , 17C , 18(4) or 24C above a person has been remanded in custody without being brought before the court; and
it subsequently appears— that he ought not to have been remanded in custody in his absence, the court shall require him to be brought before it at the earliest time that appears to the court to be possible.
to the court which remanded him in custody; or
to an alternate magistrates’ court to which he is remanded under section 130 below,
Where a person is committed to detention at a police station under subsection (7) above—
he shall not be kept in such detention unless there is a need for him to be so detained for the purposes of inquiries into other offences;
if kept in such detention, he shall be brought back before the magistrates’ court which committed him as soon as that need ceases;
he shall be treated as a person in police detention to whom the duties under section 39 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (responsibilities in relation to persons detained) relate;
his detention shall be subject to periodic review at the times set out in section 40 of that Act (review of police detention).
If a magistrates’ court is satisfied that any person who has been remanded is unable by reason of illness or accident to appear or be brought before the court at the expiration of the period for which he was remanded, the court may, in his absence, remand him for a further time; and section 128(6) above shall not apply.
Notwithstanding anything in section 128(1) above, the power of a court under subsection (1) above to remand a person on bail for a further time—
where he was granted bail in criminal proceedings, includes power to enlarge the recognizance of any surety for him to a later time;
where he was granted bail otherwise than in criminal proceedings, may be exercised by enlarging his recognizance and those of any sureties for him to a later time.
Where a person remanded on bail is bound to appear before a magistrates’ court at any time and the court has no power to remand him under subsection (1) above, the court may in his absence— and the appointment of the time or the enlargement of his recognizance shall be deemed to be a further remand.
where he was granted bail in criminal proceedings, appoint a later time as the time at which he is to appear and enlarge the recognizances of any sureties for him to that time;
where he was granted bail otherwise than in criminal proceedings, enlarge his recognizance and those of any sureties for him to a later time;
Where a magistrates’ court sends a person to the Crown Court for trial on bail and the recognizance of any surety for him has been conditioned in accordance with paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 128 above the court may, in the absence of the surety, enlarge his recognizance so that he is bound to secure that the person so sent for trial appears also before the Crown Court.
The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide that this section shall have effect— in relation to any accused person (“the accused”) . . ..
in an area specified in the order; or
in proceedings of a description so specified,
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for a period ending not later than that date; or
for a period of 28 clear days,
Nothing in this section affects the right of the accused to apply for bail during the period of the remand.
A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and been approved by a resolution of each House.
A magistrates’ court adjourning a case under section 5, 10(1) , 17C , 18(4) or 24C above, and remanding the accused in custody, may, if he has attained the age of 17, order that he be brought up for any subsequent remands before an alternate magistrates’ court nearer to the prison where he is to be confined while on remand.
The order shall require the accused to be brought before the alternate court at the end of the period of remand or at such earlier time as the alternate court may require.
While the order is in force, the alternate court shall, to the exclusion of the court which made the order, have all of the following powers which that court would have had but for the order—
powers in relation to further remand (whether in custody or on bail), and
powers under Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
The alternate court may, on remanding the accused in custody, require him to be brought before the court which made the order at the end of the period of remand or at such earlier time as that court may require; and, if the alternate court does so, or the accused is released on bail, the order under subsection (1) above shall cease to be in force.
Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect to supplement this section.
Where a magistrates’ court is satisfied as mentioned in section 128(3A) above—
subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for the words “he be brought up for any subsequent remands before” there were substituted the words “applications for any subsequent remands be made to”;
subsection (2) above shall have effect as if for the words “the accused to be brought before” there were substituted the words “an application for a further remand to be made to” and
subsection (4) above shall have effect as if for the words “him to be brought before” there were substituted the words “an application for a further remand to be made to”.
When a magistrates’ court remands an accused person in custody and he is already detained under a custodial sentence, the period for which he is remanded may be up to 28 clear days.
But the court shall inquire as to the expected date of his release from that detention; and if it appears that it will be before 28 clear days have expired, he shall not be remanded in custody for more than 8 clear days or (if longer) a period ending with that date.
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A magistrates’ court shall not impose imprisonment for less than 5 days.
Subject to section 225 of the Sentencing Code, a magistrates’ court imposing imprisonment or youth custody on any person may order that the term of imprisonment or youth custody shall commence on the expiration of any other term of imprisonment or youth custody imposed by that or any other court; but where a magistrates’ court imposes two or more terms of imprisonment or youth custody to run consecutively the aggregate of such terms shall not, subject to the provisions of this section, exceed the longest term that could be imposed in respect of any one of the offences for which a term of imprisonment is being imposed.
If two or more of the terms imposed by the court are imposed in respect of an offence triable either way which was tried summarily otherwise than in pursuance of section 22(2) above, the aggregate of the terms so imposed and any other terms imposed by the court may exceed the longest term otherwise permitted by subsection (1) (if less than 12 months) but shall not, subject to the following provisions of this section, exceed 12 months.
The limitations imposed by the preceding subsections shall not operate to reduce the aggregate of the terms that the court may impose in respect of any offences below the term which the court has power to impose in respect of any one of those offences.
In relation to the imposition of terms of detention in a young offender institution subsection (2) above shall have effect as if the reference to an offence triable either way were a reference to such an offence or an offence triable only on indictment.
Where a person has been sentenced by a magistrates’ court to imprisonment and a fine for the same offence, a period of imprisonment imposed for non-payment of the fine, or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy the fine, shall not be subject to the limitations imposed by the preceding subsections.
For the purposes of this section a term of imprisonment shall be deemed to be imposed in respect of an offence if it is imposed as a sentence or in default of payment of a sum adjudged to be paid by the conviction or for want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum.
A magistrates' court having power to impose imprisonment on any person may instead of doing so order him to be detained for any period not exceeding 4 days in a place certified by the Secretary of State to be suitable for the purpose.
The Secretary of State may certify under this section any police cells, bridewell or similar place provided by him and, on the application of any other police authority, any such place provided by that authority.
A woman or girl shall not be detained in any such place except under the supervision of women. Section 6(6) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (feminine includes masculine) does not apply for the purposes of this subsection.
The Secretary of State may make regulations for the inspection of places certified by him under this section, for the treatment of persons detained in them and generally for the purpose of carrying this section into effect.
Any expenses incurred in the maintenance of persons detained under this section shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
In this section " maintenance " has the same meaning in relation to a person detained under this section as it has under section 53 of the Prison Act 1952 in relation to a prisoner.
Subsection (2) above shall, in its application to the City of London, have effect as if for the references therein to the police authority there were substituted references to the Commissioner of Police for the City of London.
A magistrates’ court that has power to commit to prison a person convicted of an offence, or would have that power but for section 82 or 88 above, may order him to be detained within the precincts of the court-house or at any police station until such hour, not later than 8 o’clock in the evening of the day on which the order is made, as the court may direct, and, if it does so, shall not, where it has power to commit him to prison, exercise that power.
A court shall not make such an order under this section as will deprive the offender of a reasonable opportunity of returning to his abode on the day of the order.
This section shall have effect in relation to a person aged 18 or over but less than 21 as if references in it to prison were references to detention under section 108 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (detention of persons aged 18 to 20 for default).
A magistrates’ court that has power to commit to prison a person in default of payment of a sum adjudged to be paid by a summary conviction, or would have that power but for section 82 or 88 above, may issue a warrant for his detention in a police station, and, if it does so, shall not, where it has power to commit him to prison, exercise that power.
A warrant under this section —
shall authorise the person executing itto arrest the defaulter and take him to a police station, and
shall require the officer in charge of the station to detain him there until 8 o’clock in the morning of the day following that on which he is arrested, or, if he is arrested between midnight and 8 o’clock in the morning, until 8 o’clock in the morning of the day on which he is arrested.
Notwithstanding subsection (2)(b) above, the officer may release the defaulter at any time within 4 hours before 8 o’clock in the morning if the officer thinks it expedient to do so in order to enable him to go to his work or for any other reason appearing to the officer to be sufficient.
This section shall have effect in relation to a person aged 18 or over but less than 21 as if references in it to prison were references to detention under section 108 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (detention of persons aged 18 to 20 for default).
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Subject to the provisions of this section, the court fees set out in Part I of Schedule 6 to this Act, and no others, shall be chargeable by clerks of magistrates' courts; and any enactment providing for the payment of any fees for the payment of which provision is made in the said Part I shall have effect accordingly.
No fee shall be chargeable by a clerk of a magistrates' court in respect of any matter specified in Part II of the said Schedule.
Nothing in this section shall affect the fees chargeable in respect of the matters specified in Part III of the said Schedule.
The Secretary of State may from time to time by order make such variations in Part I of the said Schedule as may seem to him proper.
The power to make an order under subsection (4) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and a draft of any such statutory instrument shall be laid before Parliament
This section shall apply to magistrates' courts held by metropolitan stipendiary magistrates as it applies to other magistrates' courts.
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The designated officer for a magistrates' court shall apply moneys received by him on account of a sum adjudged to be paid by a summary conviction as follows—
in the first place in payment of any compensation adjudged by the conviction to be paid to any person;
in the third place in payment of any costs so adjudged to be paid to the prosecutor; and
in the second place in payment to the fund mentioned in paragraph (c) below of surcharges imposed under section 42 of the Sentencing Code;
the balance to the fund to which, or the person to whom, he is required to pay the sum by section 38 of the Courts Act 2003 or any other enactment relating to the sum.
Subject to any enactment relating to customs or excise, anything other than money forfeited on a conviction by a magistrates’ court or the forfeiture of which may be enforced by a magistrates’ court shall be sold or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court may direct; and the proceeds shall be applied as if they were a fine imposed under the enactment on which the proceedings for the forfeiture are founded.
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Any reference in this Act to a clerk of any magistrates' court shall be construed as a reference to the clerk to the justices for the petty sessions area for which the court is acting, or was acting at the relevant time.
Where there is more than one clerk to the justices for any petty sessions area, anything that this Act requires or authorises to be done by or to the clerk to the justices shall or may be done by or to any of the clerks or by or to such of the clerks as the magistrates' courts committee having power over the appointment of clerks to justices for that area generally or in any particular case or cases may direct.
Subsections (1) and (2) above shall apply to the justices' clerks for the inner London area as if the reference in subsection (2) to the magistrates' courts committee were a reference to the committee of magistrates.
A magistrates’ court may vary or rescind a sentence or other order imposed or made by it when dealing with an offender if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so; and it is hereby declared that this power extends to replacing a sentence or order which for any reason appears to be invalid by another which the court has power to impose or make.
Where a person is convicted by a magistrates’ courtand it subsequently appears to the court that it would be in the interests of justice that the case should be heard again by different justices, the court may, . . .so direct.
The power conferred on a magistrates’ court by subsection (1) above shall not be exercisable in relation to any sentence or order imposed or made by it when dealing with an offender if—
the Crown Court has determined an appeal against—
that sentence or order;
the conviction in respect of which that sentence or order was imposed or made; or
any other sentence or order imposed or made by the magistrates’ court when dealing with the offender in respect of that conviction (including a sentence or order replaced by that sentence or order); or
the High Court has determined a case stated for the opinion of that court on any question arising in any proceeding leading to or resulting from the imposition or making of the sentence or order.
Where a court gives a direction under subsection (2) above—
the conviction and any sentence or other order imposed or made in consequence thereof shall be of no effect; and
section 10(4) above shall apply as if the trial of the person in question had been adjourned.
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by a court constituted in the same manner as the court by which the sentence or order was imposed or made or, as the case may be, by which the person in question was found guilty, or
where that court comprised 3 or more justices of the peace, by a court which consists of or comprises a majority of those justices.
The power conferred on a magistrates’ court by subsection (2) above shall not be exercisable in relation to a conviction if—
the Crown Court has determined an appeal against—
the conviction; or
any sentence or order imposed or made by the magistrates’ court when dealing with the offender in respect of the conviction; or
the High Court has determined a case stated for the opinion of that court on any question arising in any proceeding leading to or resulting from the conviction.
Where a sentence or order is varied under subsection (1) above, the sentence or other order, as so varied, shall take effect from the beginning of the day on which it was originally imposed or made, unless the court otherwise directs.
If it appears to the Secretary of State that there has been a change in the value of money since the relevant date, he may by order substitute for the sum or sums for the time being specified in any provision mentioned in subsection (2) below such other sum or sums as appear to him justified by the change.
The said provisions are—
section 22 (1) above;
the definition of “the prescribed sum” in section 32(9) above;
section 22A(3)(a) above;
paragraph (a) of section 33(1) above
section 24(3) and (4) above;
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the Table in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to this Act.
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section 59B(3) above;
any provision mentioned in Schedule 6A to this Act;
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section 2(13) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (recognizance from parents and guardians);
the Table in section 139(4) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000;
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column 5 or 6 of Schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 so far as the column in question relates to the offences under provisions of that Act specified in column 1 of that Schedule in respect of which the maximum fines were increased by Part II of Schedule 8 to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
In subsection (1) above the “relevant date” means—
the date of the coming into force of section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (increase of certain maxima); or
where the sums specified in a provision mentioned in subsection (2) above have been substituted by an order under subsection (1) above ..., the date of that order.
in relation to section 22A(3)(a) above, the date of the coming into force of that section; or
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the last occasion on which the sum in question was fixed; and
the making of the order or proposed order under subsection (1) above.
This subsection applies to any sum specified in any enactment contained in any Act passed before, or in the same Session as, the Criminal Law Act 1977 as—
the maximum fine which may be imposed on summary conviction of an offence triable either way ; or
the maximum fine which, in the exercise of any power by subordinate instrument to impose penal provisions, may be authorised on summary conviction in respect of an offence triable either way.
An order under subsection (1) above—
shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament and may be revoked by a subsequent order thereunder; and
shall not affect the punishment for an offence committed before that order comes into force.
The Lord Chief Justice may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, make rules for regulating and prescribing, except in relation to any criminal cause or matter, the procedure and practice to be followed—
in magistrates' courts, and
by designated officers for magistrates' courts.
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If the Lord Chancellor does not agree rules made by the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor must give the Lord Chief Justice ... written reasons for doing so.
The power to make rules conferred by this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment by resolution of either House of Parliament.
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The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.
The power to make rules conferred by section 144 above shall, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of that section, include power to make provision—
as to the practice and procedure of justices in exercising functions preliminary or incidental to proceedings before a magistrates’ court;
as to the service and execution of process issued by or for the purposes of a magistrates’ court, including the service and execution in England and Wales of process issued in other parts of the United Kingdom;
as to the keeping of records of proceedings before magistrates’ courts and the manner in which things done in the course of, or as preliminary or incidental to, any such proceedings, or any proceedings on appeal from a magistrates’ court to the Crown Court, may be proved in any legal proceedings;
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as to the furnishing by any person having custody of the depositions of copies thereof, and of copies of the information if it is in writing, to a person committed for trial;
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as to what magistrates’ court shall have jurisdiction to hear any complaint;
as to the matters additional to those specified in section 53 above on complaint for which a magistrates’ court shall have power to make an order with the consent of the defendant without hearing evidence;
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as to any other matters as to which immediately before the coming into force of section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 provision was or could have been made by virtue of the enactments and parts of enactments repealed by Part II of Schedule 7 to the said Act of 1949.
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Where any Act expressly confers jurisdiction on any magistrates’ court to hear a complaint, rules made under subsection (1)(g) above shall not take away that jurisdiction, but may extend it to any other magistrates’ court.
Any Act passed before 16th December 1949, in so far as that Act relates to matters about which rules may be made under section 144 above, shall have effect subject to any rules so made and may be amended or repealed by the rules accordingly; but nothing in the said section shall authorise the rules to reduce the number of justices required for any purpose by any Act.
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Any rules, directions, forms or other instrument having effect immediately before this subsection comes into force as if contained in rules made under section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1949 by virtue of section 15(8) of that Act (rules etc. which previously had effect under the enactments repealed by Part II of Schedule 7 to that Act) shall have effect as if contained in rules made under section 144 above.
This section applies if the Lord Chancellor gives the Lord Chief Justice written notice that he thinks it is expedient for rules made under section 144 to include provision that would achieve a purpose specified in the notice.
The Lord Chief Justice must make such rules as he considers necessary to achieve the specified purpose.
Those rules must be—
made within a reasonable period after the Lord Chancellor gives notice to the Lord Chief Justice;
made in accordance with section 144.
The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.
In any civil proceedings, a magistrates’ court may disallow or (as the case may be) order the legal or other representative concerned to meet the whole of any wasted costs or such part of them as may be determined in accordance with rules.
In subsection (1), “wasted costs”means any costs incurred by a party—
as a result of any improper, unreasonable or negligent act or omission on the part of any legal or other representative or any employee of such a representative; or
which, in the light of any such act or omission occurring after they were incurred, the court considers it is unreasonable to expect that party to pay.
In this section “legal or other representative”, in relation to any proceedings, means any person who is exercising a right of audience, or a right to conduct litigation, on behalf of any party to the proceedings.
Rules made by virtue of this section may, in particular, make provision as to the destination of any payment required to be made under the rules (including provision for the reimbursement of sums paid by the the Lord Chancellor under arrangements made for the purposes of Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 ).
Rules made by virtue of this section—
shall require a magistrates’ court which proposes to act under the rules against a legal or other representative to allow him a reasonable opportunity to appear before it and show cause why it should not do so;
shall provide that action may be taken under the rules either on the application of any party to the proceedings or on the motion of the court;
shall provide that no such action shall be taken after the end of the period of six months beginning with the date on which the proceedings are disposed of by the court; and
shall provide that a legal or other representative against whom action is taken under the rules may appeal to the Crown Court.
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Without prejudice to the generality of the power to make rules under section 144 above relating to the procedure and practice to be followed by magistrates' courts, provision may be made by such rules with respect to any of the following matters, namely.—
the formation and revision of juvenile court panels, that is to say, panels of justices specially qualified to deal with juvenile cases and the eligibility of justices to be members of such panels ;
the appointment of persons as chairmen of juvenile courts; and
the composition of juvenile courts.
Rules making any such provisions as are referred to in subsection (1) above may confer powers on the Lord Chancellor with respect to any of the matters specified in the rules and may, in particular, provide for the appointment of juvenile court panels by him and for the removal from a juvenile court panel of any justice who, in his opinion, is unsuitable to serve on a juvenile court.
Rules made by virtue of this section may make different provision in relation to different areas for which juvenile court panels are formed ; and in the application of this section to the county palatine of Lancaster, for any reference in subsection (2) above to the Lord Chancellor there shall be substituted a reference to the Chancellor of the Duchy.
Nothing in this section or in any rules made under section 144 above shall affect— but rules under section 144 above may repeal, either generally or with respect to any part of the metropolitan area, any provision contained in paragraphs 15 to 18 of that Schedule (which contain provisions applicable in the metropolitan area with respect to certain of the matters referred to in subsection (1) above) and in subsections (2) and (3) of section 12 of the Administration of Justice Act 1964 (which amend those paragraphs).
the areas for which juvenile court panels are formed and juvenile courts are constituted ;
the provisions of Part I of Schedule 2 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (and, as it has effect by virtue of section 17(1) of that Act, Part I of Schedule 2 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933) with respect to the making of recommendations and orders relating to the formation of combined juvenile court panels; or
the provisions of paragraph 14 of that Schedule relating to the divisions of the metropolitan area for which juvenile courts sit;
In this section " the metropolitan area " means the inner London area and the City of London.
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The justices acting for a petty sessions area may appoint as an occasional court-house any place that is not a petty-sessional court-house.
A place appointed as an occasional court-house after 31st May 1953 shall not be used as such unless public notice has been given that it has been appointed.
There may be more than one occasional court-house for each petty sessions area; and an occasional court-house may be outside the petty sessions area for which it i9 appointed, and if so shall be deemed to be in that area for the purpose of the jurisdiction of the justices acting for that area.
In this Act the expression “magistrates’ court” means any justice or justices of the peace acting under any enactment or by virtue of his or their commission or under the common law.
Except where the contrary is expressed, anything authorised or required by this Act to be done by, to or before the magistrates’ court by, to or before which any other thing was done, or is to be done, may be done by, to or before any magistrates’ court acting in the same local justice area as that court.
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In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meaning hereby assigned to them, that is to say—
in a case where such payments are required to be made by any method of payment falling within section 59(6) and the order was made by a magistrates' court, the designated officer for that magistrates' court; ...
in a case where payments under the order are required to be made to or through the designated officer for a magistrates' court, the designated officer for that magistrates' court; and
" commit to custody " means commit to prison or, where any enactment authorises or requires committal to some other place of detention instead of committal to prison, to that other place;
Except where the contrary is expressed or implied, anything required or authorised by this Act to be done by justices may, where two or more justices are present, be done by one of them on behalf of the others.
Any reference in this Act to a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction or order of a magistrates’ court shall be construed as including a reference to any costs, damages or compensation adjudged to be paid by the conviction or order of which the amount is ascertained by the conviction or order; but this subsection does not prejudice the definition of “sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction” contained in subsection (8) of section 81 above for the purposes of that section.
Where the age of any person at any time is material for the purposes of any provision of this Act regulating the powers of a magistrates’ court, his age at the material time shall be deemed to be or to have been that which appears to the court after considering any available evidence to be or to have been his age at that time.
Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to an offence shall be construed as including a reference to an alleged offence; and any reference in this Act to an offence committed, completed or begun anywhere shall be construed as including a reference to an offence alleged to have been committed, completed or begun there.
References in this Act to an offence punishable with imprisonment or punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment shall be construed without regard to any prohibition or restriction imposed by or under this or any other Act on imprisonment of young offenders.
The provisions of this Act authorising a magistrates’ court on conviction of an offender to pass a sentence or make an order instead of dealing with him in any other way shall not be construed as taking away any power to order him to pay costs, damages or compensation.
References in this Act to want of sufficient goods to satisfy a fine or other sum of money have the meaning given by section 79(4).
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Justices may state a case under this Act when called upon to issue a warrant of distress for any rate other than a rate within the meaning of the General Rate Act 1967.
Sections 79(2) and 100 above shall apply to proceedings for the non-payment of any rate to which subsection (1) above applies as they apply to proceedings for the non-payment of a sum adjudged to be paid by a magistrates' court.
Except as provided in the preceding provisions of this section, the power of justices to issue a warrant of distress for a rate, the form and execution of such a warrant and the committal of persons for want of sufficient distress to satisfy a rate shall not be subject to the provisions of this Act.
The provisions of this Act relating to the constitution, place of sitting and procedure of magistrates’ courts shall, in their application to juvenile courts, have effect subject to any provision contained in rules of court or any enactment regulating the constitution, place of sitting or procedure of juvenile courts.
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Subject to subsection (2) below, the enactments mentioned in Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments specified in that Schedule, being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act.
The transitional provisions and savings in Schedule 8 to this Act shall have effect.
Subject to subsection (2) above, the enactments specified in Schedule 9 to this Act (which include enactments which were spent before the passing of this Act) are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
Nothing in this Act shall be taken as prejudicing the operation of sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (which relate to the effect of repeals).
This Act may be cited as the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
The following provisions of this Act extend to Scotland—
sections 8 (except subsection (9)), 12(13), 83(3), 90 and 91 and this section; and
section 154 and Schedules 7, 8 and 9 so far as they relate to any enactment extending to Scotland.
The following provisions of this Act extend to Northern Ireland—
sections 83(3), 90 and 91 and this section; and
section 154 and Schedules 7, 8 and 9 so far as they relate to an enactment extending to Northern Ireland.
The provisions of section 126 above have the same extent as the section of the Indictable Offences Act 1848 to which they refer.
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Except as stated in subsections (2) to (5) above, and except so far as relates to the interpretation or commencement of the provisions mentioned in those subsections, this Act extends to England and Wales only.
This Act shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument.
Section 125BA
In this Schedule—
An authorised officer may enter and search any premises for the purpose of executing a warrant of arrest, commitment or detention issued in proceedings for or in connection with any criminal offence. The power may be exercised— In relation to premises consisting of two or more separate dwellings, the power is limited to entering and searching—
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This paragraph applies where a person is arrested in pursuance of a warrant of arrest, commitment or detention issued in proceedings for or in connection with any criminal offence. An authorised officer may search the arrested person, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others. An authorised officer may also search the arrested person for anything which he might use to assist him to escape from lawful custody. The power conferred by sub-paragraph (3) above may be exercised— The powers conferred by this paragraph to search a person are not to be read as authorising the officer to require a person to remove any of his clothing in public other than an outer coat, a jacket or gloves; but they do authorise the search of a person’s mouth. An officer searching a person under sub-paragraph (2) above may seize and retain anything he finds, if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the person searched might use it to cause physical injury to himself or to any other person. An officer searching a person under sub-paragraph (3) above may seize and retain anything he finds, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the person might use it to assist him to escape from lawful custody.
An authorised officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of a power conferred on him by this Schedule.
Enactment Maximum fine . . . . . .. . . ATTACHMENT OF EARNINGS ACT 1971 (c.32) Section 23(3) (judge’s fine) £250 . . . . . . MAGISTRATES’ COURTS ACT 1980 (c.43) Section 63(3)(a) (disobedience of orders other than payment of money) Section 97(4) (refusal to give evidence etc.) £5,000 £2,500 CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT 1981 (c.49) Section 12(2) (contempt in face of magistrates’ court) Section 14(2) (contempt in an inferior court) £2,500 £2,500 Enactment Maximum fine . . . . . . COUNTY COURTS ACT 1984 (c.28) Section 55(2) (neglect or refusal to give evidence) Section 118(1) (contempt in face of court) £1,000 £2,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . POWERS OF CRIMINAL COURTS (SENTENCING) ACT 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Schedule 5, paragraph 2(1) (failure to comply with attendance centre order or attendance centre rules) £1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CORONERS AND JUSTICE ACT 2009 In Schedule 6, paragraphs 5 (refusal to serve as juror etc) and 6 (refusal to give evidence etc) £1000