Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/23/body/1996-02-03?timeline=true
Timestamp: 2013-06-18 07:28:07
Document Index: 91127064

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 5', 'art. 2', 'art. 11', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 14', 'art.3', 'art. 3', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 14', 'art. 2', 'art. 14', 'art.2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art.3', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 3']

Skip to main contentSkip to navigationlegislation.gov.ukThe National ArchivesHelpSite MapAccessibilityContact UsHomeAbout UsBrowse LegislationNew LegislationChanges to LegislationSearch LegislationSearch LegislationTitle: (or keywords in the title)Year:Number:Type:All Legislation (excluding draft)All Primary Legislation UK Public General Acts UK Local Acts Acts of the Scottish Parliament Acts of the National Assembly for Wales Measures of the National Assembly for Wales Church Measures Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly Acts of the Old Scottish Parliament Acts of the English Parliament Acts of the Old Irish Parliament Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain Northern Ireland Orders in Council Measures of the Northern Ireland Assembly Acts of the Northern Ireland ParliamentAll Secondary Legislation UK Statutory Instruments Wales Statutory Instruments Scottish Statutory Instruments Northern Ireland Statutory Rules Church Instruments UK Ministerial Orders UK Statutory Rules and OrdersAll Draft Legislation UK Draft Statutory Instruments Scottish Draft Statutory Instruments Northern Ireland Draft Statutory RulesAll Impact Assessments UK Impact AssessmentsSearchAdvanced SearchProsecution of Offences Act 1985You are here:1985 c. 23Whole Act without SchedulesTable of ContentsContentMore ResourcesPrevious: IntroductionNext: SchedulePlain ViewPrint Options
What VersionLatest available (Revised)Original (As enacted)Point in Time (03/02/1996)Advanced FeaturesShow Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)Show Timeline of Changes Opening OptionsOpen whole ActOpen Act without schedulesOpen Schedules onlyMore ResourcesOriginal Print PDFView more
Status:Point in time view as at 03/02/1996. This version of this Act contains provisions that are not valid for this point in time.StatusNot valid for this point in time generally means that a provision was not in force for the point in time you have selected to view it on.Changes over time for: Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (without Schedules)
Version Superseded: 04/07/1996Alternative versions:01/02/1991 - Amendment21/03/1991 - Amendment01/04/1991 - Amendment01/05/1991 - Amendment02/07/1991 - Amendment14/10/1991 - Amendment01/01/1992 - Amendment01/04/1992 - Amendment03/02/1995 - Amendment01/01/1996 - Amendment03/02/1996 - Amendment03/02/1996Point in time04/07/1996 - Amendment22/08/1996 - Amendment19/06/1997 - Amendment01/04/1998 - Amendment30/09/1998 - Amendment04/01/1999 - Amendment01/06/1999 - Amendment27/07/1999 - Amendment27/09/1999 - Amendment31/07/2000 - Amendment25/08/2000 - Amendment31/08/2000 - Amendment01/04/2001 - Amendment02/04/2001 - Amendment01/01/2004 - Amendment20/01/2004 - Amendment01/02/2004 - Amendment01/04/2004 - Amendment01/09/2004 - Amendment01/12/2004 - Amendment31/03/2005 - Amendment01/04/2005 - Amendment04/04/2005 - Amendment09/05/2005 - Amendment01/07/2005 - Amendment01/04/2006 - Amendment24/07/2006 - Amendment06/04/2007 - Amendment01/10/2007 - AmendmentProspective - AmendmentChanges to legislation:There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.Changes to LegislationChanges and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above. Part I E+W The Crown Prosecution Service Constitution and functions of ServiceE+W1 The Crown Prosecution Service.E+W(1)There shall be a prosecuting service for England and Wales (to be known as the “Crown Prosecution Service ”) consisting of—
(b)the Chief Crown Prosecutors, designated under subsection (4) below, each of whom shall be the member of the Service responsible to the Director for supervising the operation of the Service in his area; and
(3)The Director may designate any member of the Service [F1who has a general qualification (within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990)] for the purposes of this subsection, and any person so designated shall be known as a Crown Prosecutor.
any consent given by or, as the case may be, taken by or in relation to, a Crown Prosecutor shall be treated, for the purposes of that enactment, as given by or, as the case may be, taken by or in relation to the Director.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F1
Words substituted by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 71(2), Sch. 10 para. 61(1) Modifications etc. (not altering text)C1
S. 1(7) excluded (4.4.2005) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 92(1), 336; S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 5 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2) (as amended by 2005/2122, art. 2 and 2007/391, art. 2)
2 The Director of Public ProsecutionsE+W(1)The Director of Public Prosecutions shall be appointed by the Attorney General.
(2)The Director must be a [F2person who has a ten year general qualification, within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990].
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F2
Words substituted by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 71(2), Sch. 10 para. 60 3 Functions of the Director.E+W(1)The Director shall discharge his functions under this or any other enactment under the superintendence of the Attorney General.
(2)It shall be the duty of the Director [F3, subject to any provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1987] —
(a)to take over the conduct of all criminal proceedings, other than specified proceedings, instituted on behalf of a police force (whether by a member of that force or by any other person);
(ii)it is otherwise appropriate for proceedings to be instituted by him;
(d)to take over the conduct of all proceedings begun by summons issued under section 3 of the M1Obscene Publications Act 1959 (forfeiture of obscene articles);
(i)section 1 of the M2Administration of Justice Act 1960 (appeal from the High Court in criminal cases);
(ii)Part I or Part II of the M3Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (appeals from the Crown Court to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal and thence to the House of Lords); or
(iii)section 108 of the M4Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (right of appeal to Crown Court) as it applies, by virtue of subsection (5) of section 12 of the M5Contempt of Court Act 1981, to orders made under section 12 (contempt of magistrates’ courts); and
“the court ” means—
(a)in the case of an appeal to or from the criminal division of the Court of Appeal, that division;
(b)in the case of an appeal from a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division, the Divisional Court; and
(c)in the case of an appeal against an order of a magistrates’ court, the Crown Court;
“police force ” means any police force maintained by a police authority under the M6Police Act 1964 and any other body of constables for the time being specified by order made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section; and
“specified proceedings ” means proceedings which fall within any category for the time being specified by order made by the Attorney General for the purposes of this section.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F3
Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 15, Sch. 2 para. 13 Modifications etc. (not altering text)C2
S. 3(2) excluded by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 5(1) C3
S. 3(2)(a)–(d) restricted by S.I. 1986/1029, art. 5 Marginal CitationsM1
1959 c. 66. M2
1960 c. 65. M3
1968 c. 19. M4
1980 c. 43. M5
1981 c. 49. M6
1964 c. 48. 4 Crown Prosecutors.E+W [F4(1) Crown Prosecutors shall continue to have the same rights of audience, in any court, as they had immediately before the coming into force of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. (2) Subsection (1) is not to be taken as preventing those rights being varied or added to in accordance with the provisions of that Act. (3) The Lord Chancellor may at any time direct, as respects one or more specified places where the Crown Court sits, that Crown Prosecutors, or such category of Crown Prosecutors as may be specified in the direction, may have rights of audience in the Crown Court. (3A) Any such direction may be limited to apply only in relation to proceedings of a description specified in the direction. (3B) In considering whether to exercise his powers under this section the Lord Chancellor shall have regard, in particular, to the need to secure the availability of persons with rights of audience in the court or proceedings in question. (3C) Any direction under this section may be revoked by direction of the Lord Chancellor. (3D) Any direction under this section may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be necessary or expedient. (3E) Any exercise by the Lord Chancellor of his powers to give a direction under this section shall be with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the President of the Family Division and the Vice-Chancellor.] (4)In section 88 of the M7Solicitors Act 1974 (which, amongst other things, provides that solicitors in public departments are not required to hold practising certificates) the following subsection shall be inserted after subsection (1)—
(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5 (6)In Schedule 2 to the Act of 1974 (the compensation fund), in paragraph 2, for the words “sub-paragraph (2) ” there shall be substituted the words “sub-paragraphs (2) and (2A) ” and after sub-paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F4
S. 4(1)–(3E) substituted for s. 4(1)—(3) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(3), Sch. 18 para. 51 F5
S. 4(5) repealed by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(7), Sch. 20 Marginal CitationsM7
1974 c. 47. 5 Conduct of prosecutions on behalf of the Service.E+W(1)The Director may at any time appoint a person who is not a Crown Prosecutor but [F6who has a general qualification (within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990)] to institute or take over the conduct of such criminal proceedings as the Director may assign to him.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F6
Words substituted by virtue of Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 71(2), Sch. 10 para. 61(2) [Editorial Note: The amending legislation provides that the new words in s. 5(1) should be substituted for the words from "who is" to "authority". The words "who is" occur three times in s. 5(1) as enacted. It is thought that the context requires the substitution to begin with the second occurrence of those words.]
6 Prosecutions instituted and conducted otherwise than by the Service.E+W(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, nothing in this Part shall preclude any person from instituting any criminal proceedings or conducting any criminal proceedings to which the Director’s duty to take over the conduct of proceedings does not apply.
7 Delivery of recognizances etc. to Director.E+W(1)Where the Director or any Crown Prosecutor gives notice to any justice of the peace that he has instituted, or is conducting, any criminal proceedings, the justice shall—
(2)The Attorney General may make regulations for the purpose of supplementing this section; and in subsection (1) above “prescribed ” means prescribed by the regulations.
(4)It shall be the duty of every justices’ clerk to send to the Director, in accordance with the regulations, a copy of the information and of any depositions and other documents relating to any case in which—
(a)a prosecution for an offence before the magistrates’ court to which he is clerk is withdrawn or is not proceeded with within a reasonable time;
(b)the Director does not have the conduct of the proceedings; and
[F77A Bail applications.E+W (1) The Director may designate, for the purposes of this section, members of the staff of the Crown Prosecution Service who are not Crown Prosecutors. (2) A person so designated shall have all the powers of a Crown Prosecutor in relation to any application for, or relating to, bail in criminal proceedings, but shall exercise those powers subject to instructions given to him by the Director. (3) Any such instructions may be given so as to apply generally. (4) In this section “ bail in criminal proceedings ” has the same meaning as it has in the Bail Act M81976 by virtue of the definition in section 1 of that Act.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F7
S. 7A inserted (1.4.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 114.; S.I. 1991/608, art. 2, Sch. Marginal CitationsM8
1976 c.63 ReportsE+W8 Reports to Director by chief officers of police.E+W(1)The Attorney General may make regulations requiring the chief officer of any police force to which the regulations are expressed to apply to give to the Director information with respect to every offence of a kind prescribed by the regulations which is alleged to have been committed in his area and in respect of which it appears to him that there is a prima facie case for proceedings.
9 Reports by Director to Attorney General.E+W(1)As soon as practicable after 4th April in any year the Director shall make to the Attorney General a report on the discharge of his functions during the year ending with that date.
GuidelinesE+W10 Guidelines for Crown Prosecutors.E+W(1)The Director shall issue a Code for Crown Prosecutors giving guidance on general principles to be applied by them—
(i)whether proceedings for an offence should be instituted or, where proceedings have been instituted, whether they should be discontinued; or
(ii)what charges should be preferred; and
(b)in considering, in any case, representations to be made by them to any magistrates’ court about the mode of trial suitable for that case.
(3)The provisions of the Code shall be set out in the Director’s report under section 9 of this Act for the year in which the Code is issued; and any alteration in the Code shall be set out in his report under that section for the year in which the alteration is made.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C4
S. 10(2)(3) modified (prosp.) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 37, 94, Sch. 2 para. 4 C5
S. 10(2)(3) modified (prosp.) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 37, 94, Sch. 2 para. 4 Transfer of staff, etc. E+W11 Transfer of staff.E+W(1)The Attorney General may, with the approval of the Treasury, by regulations make such provision as he considers appropriate in relation to the transfer to the staff of the Director of such persons employed by any authority wholly or mainly in connection with the discharge of prosecution functions as may be specified in the regulations.
(4)Staff transferred in accordance with the regulations shall be exempt from any requirement to the effect that before a person is appointed to Her Majesty’s Home Civil Service a certificate of qualification must be issued in respect of him by the Civil Service Commissioners.
(5)For the purposes of Schedule 13 to the M9Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (as it applies for the purposes of computing an employee’s period and continuity of employment for the purposes of that Act and any other enactment) in its application to a person who is transferred to the staff of the Director as a result of this Part—
(a)the period of his employment in the employment from which he is transferred shall count as a period of Crown employment; and
(b)the change of employment shall not break the continuity of his employment.
(a)on becoming a member of the staff of the Service in consequence of any regulations made under this section; or
he shall not, on ceasing to be a member of the staff of the authority, be treated for the purposes of any regulations or scheme made under the M10Superannuation Act 1972 as having ceased to hold his employment by reason of redundancy.
(7)In this section “authority ” means any police authority or other authority or body mentioned in section 17(6)(c) or (d) of this Act; and “police authority ”, in relation to the metropolitan police district, means the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Marginal CitationsM9
1978 c. 44. M10
1972 c. 11. 12 Staff commission.E+W(1)The Attorney General, after consulting such bodies representing authorities or persons employed by authorities as appear to him to be concerned, shall not later than three months after the passing of this Act, establish a staff commission for the purpose of—
(2)The functions of the staff commission shall not extend to the giving of advice with respect to recruitment to, or the terms and conditions of service in, Her Majesty’s Home Civil Service.
(b)the implementation of any advice given by the commission; or
(6)In this section “authority ” means any police authority or other authority or body mentioned in section 17(6)(c) or (d) of this Act; and “police authority ”, in relation to the metropolitan police district, means the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
13 Premises formerly used in connection with Director’s new functions. E+W(1)This section shall have effect—
(b)as respects the local authority or police authority who were providing the premises;
and shall have effect in particular to ensure that prosecutions, including proceedings in cases in the course of hearing on the transfer date, can be conducted without any interruption or interference in the transition to the arrangements for prosecuting offences established by this Part.
(a)to make the premises available for the Service; or
(i)all fittings, furniture, equipment and other chattels previously made available for use in connection with the discharge of prosecution functions; or
(ii)in a case falling within subsection (2)(b) above, those items or items which, in the opinion of the Director, are suitable alternatives;
(c)heat any accommodation made available for the Service;
(d)clean, light and maintain the premises and maintain anything else made available for the Service under this section; and
(a)such amounts as is a reasonable payment for the use of the premises;
(b)the reasonable and necessary charges for heating, lighting and cleaning the premises; and
(i)to the cost of any services or facilities provided by the authority in accordance with subsection (3)(b) above; and
(i)with the termination of the tenancy by the landlord in accordance with the provisions of Part II of the M11Landlord and Tenant Act 1954; or
(7)Where the Secretary of State—
(a)is of the opinion that the obligations imposed by this section in relation to any premises can be brought to an end on a date earlier than that determined in accordance with subsection (6) above; and
(8)While the obligations imposed by this section are in force in relation to any premises, members of the Service shall, to the extent necessary to enable them to carry out their functions, enjoy the same rights and privileges in relation to the premises as were previously enjoyed by those occupying the premises in connection with the discharge of prosecution functions.
(10)An authority shall not be taken to have acted in breach of any convenant, condition, term or other provision by reason of their complying with any obligation imposed on them by this section.
“police authority ”, in relation to the metropolitan police district, means the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District; and
“transfer date ”, in relation to any prosecution functions, means the date on which the staff in question were transferred to the staff of the Director.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C6
S. 13 (except subsection (6)(b)) applied with modifications by S.I. 1986/148, art. 11(7) Marginal CitationsM11
1954 c. 56. MiscellaneousE+W 14 Control of certain fees and expenses etc. paid by the Service.E+W(1)The Attorney General may, with the approval of the Treasury, by regulations make such provision as he considers appropriate in relation to—
(a)the fees of [F8any legal representative] briefed to appear on behalf of the Service in any criminal proceedings; and
(b)the costs and expenses of witnesses attending to give evidence at the instance of the Service [F9and, subject to subsection (1A) below, of any other person who in the opinion of the Service necessarily attends for the purpose of the case otherwise than to give evidence].
[F10(1A) The power conferred on the Attorney General by subsection (1)(b) above only relates to the costs and expenses of an interpreter if the interpreter is required because of the lack of English of a person attending to give evidence at the instance of the Service.] [F10(1B) In subsection (1)(b) above “ attending ” means attending at the court or elsewhere.] (2)The regulations may, in particular—
[F11(3) Regulations made under subsection (1)(b) above may provide that scales or rates of costs and expenses shall be determined by the Attorney General with the consent of the Treasury.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Subordinate Legislation MadeP1
S. 14; power conferred by s. 14 previously exercised by S.I. 1986/405, 842, 1250, 1818, 1987/902, 1636, 1851, 1988/807, 1054, 1862
Amendments (Textual)F8
Words in s. 14(1) substituted (1. 4. 1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(3), Sch. 18 para. 52(1); S.I.1991/608, art. 2, Sch. F9
Words added by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 166(a), Sch. 8 para. 16 F10
S. 14(1A)(1B) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 166(1)(b), Sch. 8 para. 16 F11
S. 14(3) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 166(1)(c), Sch. 8 para. 16 15 Interpretation of Part I.E+W(1)In this Part—
“binding over proceedings ” means any proceedings instituted (whether by way of complaint under section 115 of the M12Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 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;
“Director ” means the Director of Public Prosecutions;
“legal representative ” means an authorised advocate or authorised litigator, as defined by section 119(1) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.
“police force ” has the same meaning as in section 3 of this Act;
“prosecution functions ” means functions which by virtue of this Part become functions of the Director;
“public authority ” has the same meaning as in section 17 of this Act;
“Service ” means the Crown Prosecution Service; [F12 . . . . . ..] (2)For the purposes of this Part, proceedings in relation to an offence are instituted—
(a)where a justice of the peace issues a summons under section 1 of the M13Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, when the information for the offence is laid before him;
(b)where a justice of the peace issues a warrant for the arrest of any person under that section, when the information for the offence is laid before him;
(c)where a person is charged with the offence after being taken into custody without a warrant, when he is informed on the particulars of the charge;
(d)where a bill of indictment is preferred under section 2 of the M14Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 in a case falling within paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of that section, when the bill of indictment is preferred before the court;
(4)For the purposes of sections 3(2)(b), 5, 6 and 7(1) of this Act, binding over proceedings shall be taken to be criminal proceedings.
(5)For the purposes of section 5 of this Act, proceedings begun by summons issued under section 3 of the M15Obscene Publications Act 1959 (forfeiture of obscene articles) shall be taken to be criminal proceedings.
(6)The functions which become functions of the Director by virtue of this Part shall be treated as transferred functions for the purposes of section 95 of the M16Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (effect of certain provisions where functions are transferred to the Crown) but shall not be so treated for the purposes of paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 3 to the M17Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (meaning of “last employing authority ”).
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F12
Word and definition in s. 15(1) repealed (1. 4. 1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(7), Sch. 20; S.I.1991/608, art. 2, Sch. Marginal CitationsM12
1980 c. 43. M13
1980 c. 43. M14
1933 c. 36. M15
1959 c. 66. M16
1978 c. 44. M17
1971 c. 56. Part II E+W Costs in Criminal Cases Award of costs out of central fundsE+W16 Defence costs. E+W(1)Where—
(b)a magistrates’ court inquiring into an indictable offence as examining justices determines not to commit the accused for trial;
(c)a magistrates’ court dealing summarily with an offence dismisses the information;
that court or, in a case falling within paragraph (a) above, a magistrates’ court for that area, may make an order in favour of the accused for a payment to be made out of central funds in respect of his costs (a “defendant’s costs order ”).
(a)any person is not tried for an offence for which he has been indicted or committed for trial; or [F13(aa) a notice of transfer is given under [F14a relevant transfer provision] but a person in relation to whose case it is given is not tried on a charge to which it relates; or] (b)any person is tried on indictment and acquitted on any count in the indictment;
the Crown Court may make a defendant’s costs order in favour of the accused.
(3)Where a person convicted of an offence by a magistrates’ court appeals to the Crown Court under section 108 of the M18Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (right of appeal against conviction or sentence) and, in consequence of the decision on appeal—
(a)his conviction is set aside; or
(a)allows an appeal under Part I of the M19Criminal Appeal Act 1968 against—
(ii)a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity; or
[ F15(iii) a finding under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 that the appellant is under a disability, or that he did the act or made the omission charged against him;] [F16(aa) directs under section 8(1B) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 the entry of a judgment and verdict of acquittal;] (b)on an appeal under that Part against conviction—
(ii)in a case where a special verdict has been found, orders a different conclusion on the effect of that verdict to be recorded; or
the court may make a defendant’s costs order in favour of the accused.
[F17(4A) The court may also make a defendant’s costs order in favour of the accused on an appeal under section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (appeals against orders or rulings at preparatory hearings).] (5)Where—
(a)any proceedings in a criminal cause or matter are determined before a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division;
(c)the Court of Appeal determines an application for leave to appeal to the House of Lords under Part II of the M20Criminal Appeal Act 1968; or
(d)the House of Lords determines an appeal, or application for leave to appeal, under Part II of that Act;
(6)A defendant’s costs order shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, be for the payment out of central funds, to the person in whose favour the order is made, of such amount as the court considers reasonably sufficient to compensate him for any expenses properly incurred by him in the proceedings.
(7)Where a court makes a defendant’s costs order but is of the opinion that there are circumstances which make it inappropriate that the person in whose favour the order is made should recover the full amount mentioned in subsection (6) above, the court shall—
(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18 (9)Subject to subsection (7) above, the amount to be paid out of central funds in pursuance of a defendant’s costs order shall—
(10)Subsection (6) above shall have effect, in relation to any case falling within subsection (1)(a) or (2)(a) above, as if for the words “in the proceedings ” there were substituted the words “in or about the defence ”.
[F19(12) In subsection (2)(aa) “ relevant transfer provision ” means— (a) section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, or (b) section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F13
S. 16(2)(aa) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 15, Sch. 2 para. 14 F14
Words in s. 16(2)(aa) substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(3), Sch. 9 para. 25(a); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Appendix A
S. 16(4)(a)(iii) substituted (01. 01. 1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 7, Sch. 3 para. 7; S.I. 1991/2488, art. 2.
S. 16(4)(aa) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 170, Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 103 F17
S. 16(4A) added by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 15, Sch. 2 para. 15 F18
S. 16(8) repealed by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 6 F19
S. 16(12) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(3), Sch. 9 para. 25(b); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1 Appendix A
Modifications etc. (not altering text)C7
S. 16 applied by S.I. 1986/1335, art. 14(4) C8
S. 16(1)(c) applied (with modifications): (15.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/716, arts. 1(2), 24(1)(a); (1.4.1997) by 1989 c. 33, s. 9(2), Sch. 1 para. 6(1) (as amended by 1994 c. 33, ss. 158(5)(a), 158(8)(a)) and S.I. 1997/882, art.3 (with savings in art. 3(2))
S. 16(1)(c) applied (with modifications) (1.9.2001) by 2001 c. 17, s. 6(2)(d); S.I. 2001/2161, art. 2 (subject to art. 3)
Marginal CitationsM18
1980 c. 43. M19
1968 c. 19. M20
1968 c. 19. 17 Prosecution costs. E+W(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, the court may—
(a)in any proceedings in respect of an indictable offence; and
(b)in any proceedings before a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division or the House of Lords in respect of a summary offence;
(6)In this section “public authority ” means—
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C9
S. 17 applied by S.I. 1986/1335, art. 14(1) Award of costs against accusedE+W18 Award of costs against accused. E+W(1)Where—
(a)any person is convicted of an offence before a magistrates’ court;
(a)an appeal or application for leave to appeal under Part I of the M21Criminal Appeal Act 1968; or
it may make such order as to the costs to be paid by the accused, to such person as may be named in the order, as it considers just and reasonable [F20or (c) an appeal or application for leave to appeal under section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987;] (3)The amount to be paid by the accused in pursuance of an order under this section shall be specified in the order.
(4)Where any person is convicted of an offence before a magistrates’ court and—
(b)the sum so ordered to be paid does not exceed £5;
(5)Where any person under [F21the age of eighteen] is convicted of an offence before a magistrates’ court, the amount of any costs ordered to be paid by the accused under this section shall not exceed the amount of any fine imposed on him.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F20
S. 18(2)(c) added by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 15, Sch. 2 para. 16 F21
Words in s. 18(5) substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(3), Sch. 9 para. 26; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. Appendix A
Modifications etc. (not altering text)C10
S. 18 applied by S.I. 1986/1335, art. 14(1)(2)(3) Marginal CitationsM21
1968 c. 19. Other awardsE+W19 Provision for orders as to costs in other circumstances.E+W(1)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision empowering magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, in any case where the court is satisfied that one party to criminal proceedings has incurred costs as a result of an unnecessary or improper act or omission by, or on behalf of, another party to the proceedings, to make an order as to the payment of those costs.
(b)make provision as to the account to be taken, in making such an order, of any other order as to costs . . . F22 which has been made in respect of the proceedings [F23or any grant of representation for the purposes of the proceedings which has been made under the Legal Aid Act 1988.];
(c)make provision as to the account to be taken of any such order in the making of any other order as to costs in respect of the proceedings; and
(d)contain provisions similar to those in section 18(4) and (5) of this Act.
(a)to compensate any witness in the proceedings [F24, and any other person who in the opinion of the court necessarily attends for the purpose of the proceedings otherwise than to give evidence,] for the expense, trouble or loss of time properly incurred in or incidental to his attendance;
(b)to cover the proper expenses of an interpreter who is required because of the accused’s lack of English;
(i)makes a report otherwise than in writing for the purpose of section 30 of the M22Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (remand for medical examination); or
(ii)makes a written report to a court in pursuance of a request to which section 32(2) of the M23Criminal Justice Act 1967 (report by medical practitioner on medical condition of offender) applies;
[ F25(d) to cover the proper fee or costs of a person appointed by the Crown Court under section 4A of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 to put the case for the defence.] [F26(3A) In subsection (3)(a) above “ attendance ” means attendance at the court or elsewhere.] (4)The Court of Appeal may order the payment out of central funds of such sums as appear to it to be reasonably sufficient to compensate an appellant who is not in custody and who appears before it on, or in connection with, his appeal under Part I of the M24Criminal Appeal Act 1968.
(5)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations provide that any provision made by or under this Part which would not otherwise apply in relation to any category of proceedings in which an offender is before a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court shall apply in relation to proceedings of that category, subject to any specified modifications.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F22
Words repealed by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 12, Sch. 6 F23
Words inserted by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 12 F24
Words inserted (retrospectively) (1.10.1986) by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 166(2)(4), Sch. 8 para. 16 F25
S. 19(3)(d) inserted (01. 01. 1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 7, Sch. 3 para.8; S.I. 1991/2488, art.2.
S. 19(3A) inserted (retrospectively) (1.10.1986) by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 166(3)(4), Sch. 8 para. 16 Marginal CitationsM22
1980 c. 43. M23
1967 c. 80. M24
1968 c. 19. [F27 19A Costs against legal representatives etc. E+W (1) In any criminal proceedings— (a) the Court of Appeal; (b) the Crown Court; or (c) 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 regulations. (2) Regulations shall provide that a legal or other representative against whom action is taken by a magistrates’ court under subsection (1) may appeal to the Crown Court and that a legal or other representative against whom action is taken by the Crown Court under subsection (1) may appeal to the Court of Appeal. (3) In this section— “ legal or other representative ”, in relation to any proceedings, means a person who is exercising a right of audience, or a right to conduct litigation, on behalf of any party to the proceedings; “ regulations ” means regulations made by the Lord Chancellor; and “ wasted costs ” means any costs incurred by a party— (a)as a result of any improper, unreasonable, or negligent act or omission on the part of any representative or any employee of a representative; or (b)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.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Subordinate Legislation MadeP2
S. 19A: s. 20 (with s. 19A) power exercised (21.3.1991) by S.I. 1991/789.
Amendments (Textual)F27
S. 19A inserted (1.5.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 111; S.I. 1991/985, art. 2(a) Valid from 01/02/2004 [F2819B Provision for award of costs against third parties E+W (1) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision empowering magistrates' courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal to make a third party costs order if the condition in subsection (3) is satisfied. (2) A “third party costs order” is an order as to the payment of costs incurred by a party to criminal proceedings by a person who is not a party to those proceedings (“ the third party ”). (3) The condition is that— (a) there has been serious misconduct (whether or not constituting a contempt of court) by the third party, and (b) the court considers it appropriate, having regard to that misconduct, to make a third party costs order against him. (4) Regulations made under this section may, in particular— (a) specify types of misconduct in respect of which a third party costs order may not be made; (b) allow the making of a third party costs order at any time; (c) make provision for any other order as to costs which has been made in respect of the proceedings to be varied on, or taken account of in, the making of a third party costs order; (d) make provision for account to be taken of any third party costs order in the making of any other order as to costs in respect of the proceedings. (5) Regulations made under this section in relation to magistrates' courts must provide that the third party may appeal to the Crown Court against a third party costs order made by a magistrates' court. (6) Regulations made under this section in relation to the Crown Court must provide that the third party may appeal to the Court of Appeal against a third party costs order made by the Crown Court.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F28
S. 19B inserted (1.2.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 93, 110; S.I. 2004/174, art. 2(a) SupplementalE+W 20 Regulations.E+W(1)The Lord Chancellor may make regulations for carrying this Part into effect and the regulations may, in particular, make provision as to—
(2)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision for the recovery of sums paid [F29by the Legal Aid Board or out of] central funds in cases where—
(a)a costs order has been made against a [F30person]; and
(5)Subsection (4) of section 61 of the Justices of the M25Peace Act 1979 (regulations as to accounts of justices’ clerks) shall apply in relation to sums payable to the Lord Chancellor by virtue of regulations made under subsection (2) above as it applies in relation to sums payable to the [F31Lord Chancellor] under that section.
(ii)by a party to proceedings; or
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Subordinate Legislation MadeP3
Amendments (Textual)F29
Words substituted by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 13 F30
Words in s. 20(2)(a) substituted (1.5.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(3), Sch. 18 para. 53; S.I. 1991/985, art. 2(b) F31
Words in s. 20(5) substituted (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/709, art. 2(3)(b) Marginal CitationsM25
1979 c. 55. 21 Interpretation, etc. E+W(1)In this Part—
[F32“ accused ” and “ appellant ”, in a case where section 44A of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (death of convicted person) applies, include the person approved under that section;] “defendant’s costs order ” has the meaning given in section 16 of this Act;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F33 [F34“ legally assisted person ”, in relation to any proceedings, means a person to whom representation under the Legal Aid Act 1988 has been granted for the purposes of the proceedings;] “proceedings ” includes—
(a)proceedings in any court below; and
(b)in relation to the determination of an appeal by any court, any application made to that court for leave to bring the appeal; and
“witness ” means any person properly attending to give evidence, whether or not he gives evidence or is called at the instance of one of the parties or of the court, but does not include a person attending as a witness to character only unless the court has certified that the interests of justice required his attendance.
(2)Except as provided by or under this Part no costs shall be allowed on the hearing or determination of, or of any proceedings preliminary or incidental to, an appeal to the Court of Appeal under Part I of the M26Criminal Appeal Act 1968.
(3)Subject to rules of court made under section 53(1) of the M27Supreme Court Act 1981 (power by rules to distribute business of Court of Appeal between its civil and criminal divisions), the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal under this Part, or under regulations made under this Part, shall be exercised by the criminal division of that Court; and references in this Part to the Court of Appeal shall be construed as references to that division.
[F35(4A) Where one party to any proceedings is a legally assisted person then— (a) for the purposes of sections 16 and 17 of this Act, his costs shall be taken not to include either the expenses incurred on his behalf by the Legal Aid Board or the Lord Chancellor or, if he is liable to make a contribution under section 23 of the Legal Aid Act 1988, any sum paid or payable by way of contribution; and (b) for the purposes of sections 18 and 19 of this Act, his costs shall be taken to include the expenses incurred on his behalf by the Legal Aid Board or the Lord Chancellor (without any deduction on account of any contribution paid or payable under section 23 of the Legal Aid Act 1988) but, if he is liable to make such a contribution his costs shall be taken not to include any sum paid or payable by way of contribution.] (5)Where, in any proceedings in a criminal cause or matter or in either of the cases mentioned in subsection (6) below, an interpreter is required because of the accused’s lack of English, the expenses properly incurred on his employment shall not be treated as costs of any party to the proceedings.
(a)where an information charging the accused with an offence is laid before a justice of the peace for any area but not proceeded with and the expenses are incurred on the employment of the interpreter for the proceedings on the information; and
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F32
Definitions of "accused" and "appellant" in s. 21(1) inserted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 35, s. 29(1), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.I. 1995/3061, art.3(d)(h) F33
Definition of “legal aid order ” repealed by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 6 F34
Definition substituted by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 14 F35
S. 21(4A) inserted by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 45, Sch. 5 para. 15 Marginal CitationsM26
1968 c. 19. M27
1981 c. 54. Part III E+W Miscellaneous 22 Power of Secretary of State to set time limits in relation to preliminary stages of criminal proceedings.E+W (1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision, with respect to any specified preliminary stage of proceedings for an offence, as to the maximum period—
(i)in the custody of a magistrates’ court; or
(ii)in the custody of the Crown Court;
(c)make such provision with respect to the procedure to be followed in criminal proceedings as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of any other provision of the regulations;
(d)provide for the M28Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 and the M29Bail Act 1976 to apply in relation to cases to which custody or overall time limits apply subject to such modifications as may be specified (being modifications which the Secretary of State considers necessary in consequence of any provision made by the regulations); and
(a)a person escapes from the custody of a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court before the expiry of a custody time limit which applies in his case; or
(a)a person escapes from the custody of a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court; or
(7)Where a magistrates’ court decides to extend, or further extend, a custody or overall time limit, the accused may appeal against the decision to the Crown Court.
(8)Where a magistrates’ court refuses to extend, or further extend, a custody or overall time limit the prosecution may appeal against the refusal to the Crown Court.
(9)An appeal under subsection (8) above may not be commenced after the expiry of the limit in question; but where such an appeal is commenced before the expiry of the limit the limit shall be deemed not to have expired before the determination or abandonment of the appeal.
“appropriate court ” means—
(a)where the accused has been committed for trial or indicted for the offence, the Crown Court; and
(b)in any other case, the magistrates’ court specified in the summons or warrant in question or, where the accused has already appeared or been brought before a magistrates’ court, a magistrates’ court for the same area;
[ F36“ custody ” includes local authority accommodation to which a person is remanded or committed by virtue of section 23 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, and references to a person being committed to custody shall be construed accordingly;] “custody of the Crown Court ” includes custody to which a person is committed in pursuance of—
(a)section 6 of the M30Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (magistrates’ court committing accused for trial); or
(b)section 43A of that Act (magistrates’ court dealing with a person brought before it following his arrest in pursuance of a warrant issued by the Crown Court); [F37or (c) section 5(3)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (custody after transfer order in fraud case); [F38, or] ] [F38(d) paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 6 to the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (custody after transfer order in certain cases involving children).] “custody of a magistrates’ court ” means custody to which a person is committed in pursuance of section 128 of the M31Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (remand);
“custody time limit ” means a time limit imposed by regulations made under subsection (1)(b) above or, where any such limit has been extended by a court under subsection (3) above, the limit as so extended;
“preliminary stage ”, in relation to any proceedings, does not include any stage of the proceedings after the accused has been arraigned in the Crown Court or, in the case of a summary trial, the magistrates’ court has begun to hear evidence for the prosecution at the trial;
“overall time limit ” means a time limit imposed by regulations made under subsection (1)(a) above or, where any such limit has been extended by a court under subsection (3) above, the limit as so extended; and
(12)For the purposes of the application of any custody time limit in relation to a person who is in the custody of a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court—
(a)all periods during which he is in the custody of a magistrates’ court in respect of the same offence shall be aggregated and treated as a single continuous period; and
(13)For the purposes of section 29(3) of the M32Supreme Court Act 1981 (High Court to have power to make prerogative orders in relation to jurisdiction of Crown Court in matters which do not relate to trial on indictment) the jurisdiction conferred on the Crown Court by this section shall be taken to be part of its jurisdiction in matters other than those relating to trial on indictment.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Subordinate Legislation MadeP4
S. 22: power previously exercised by S.I. 1987/299, 1988/164, 1989/767, 1989/1107.
S. 22(1)(2): s. 22(1)(with ss. 22(2) and 29(2)) power exercised by S.I. 1991/1515.
Amendments (Textual)F36
Definition of "custody" in s. 22(11) inserted (14. 10. 1991) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 100, Sch. 11 para. 36; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.
S. 22(11)(c) and the word “or ” immediately preceeding it added by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 170, Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 104 F38
S. 22(11)(d) and the word ", or" immediately preceding it inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(3), Sch. 9 para.27; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1 Appendix A
Marginal CitationsM28
1980 c. 43. M29
1976 c. 63. M30
1980 c. 43. M31
1980 c. 43. M32
1981 c. 54. Valid from 01/06/1999 [F3922A Additional time limits for persons under 18. E+W (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision— (a) with respect to a person under the age of 18 at the time of his arrest in connection with an offence, as to the maximum period to be allowed for the completion of the stage beginning with his arrest and ending with the date fixed for his first appearance in court in connection with the offence (“ the initial stage ”); (b) with respect to a person convicted of an offence who was under that age at the time of his arrest for the offence or (where he was not arrested for it) the laying of the information charging him with it, as to the period within which the stage between his conviction and his being sentenced for the offence should be completed. (2) Subsection (2) of section 22 above applies for the purposes of regulations under subsection (1) above as if— (a) the reference in paragraph (d) to custody or overall time limits were a reference to time limits imposed by the regulations; and (b) the reference in paragraph (e) to proceedings instituted before the commencement of any provisions of the regulations were a reference to a stage begun before that commencement. (3) A magistrates’ court may, at any time before the expiry of the time limit imposed by the regulations under subsection (1)(a) above (“ the initial stage time limit ”), extend, or further extend, that limit; but the court shall not do so unless it is satisfied— (a) that the need for the extension is due to some good and sufficient cause; and (b) that the investigation has been conducted, and (where applicable) the prosecution has acted, with all due diligence and expedition. (4) Where the initial stage time limit (whether as originally imposed or as extended or further extended under subsection (3) above) expires before the person arrested is charged with the offence, he shall not be charged with it unless further evidence relating to it is obtained, and— (a) if he is then under arrest, he shall be released; (b) if he is then on bail under Part IV of the M33Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, his bail (and any duty or conditions to which it is subject) shall be discharged. (5) Where the initial stage time limit (whether as originally imposed or as extended or further extended under subsection (3) above) expires after the person arrested is charged with the offence but before the date fixed for his first appearance in court in connection with it, the court shall stay the proceedings. (6) Where— (a) a person escapes from arrest; or (b) a person who has been released on bail under Part IV of the M34Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 fails to surrender himself at the appointed time, and is accordingly unlawfully at large for any period, that period shall be disregarded, so far as the offence in question is concerned, for the purposes of the initial stage time limit. (7) Subsections (7) to (9) of section 22 above apply for the purposes of this section, at any time after the person arrested has been charged with the offence in question, as if any reference (however expressed) to a custody or overall time limit were a reference to the initial stage time limit. (8) Where a person is convicted of an offence in any proceedings, the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3) above shall not be called into question in any appeal against that conviction. (9) Any reference in this section (however expressed) to a person being charged with an offence includes a reference to the laying of an information charging him with it.] Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F39
S. 22A inserted (1.6.1999) by 1998 c. 37, ss.44, S.I. 1999/1279, art. 2(b)
Marginal CitationsM33
1984 c.60. M34
1984 c.60. Valid from 01/06/199922B Re-institution of proceedings stayed under section 22(4) or 22A(5).E+W(1)This section applies where proceedings for an offence (“the original proceedings ”) are stayed by a court under section 22(4) or 22A(5) of this Act.
(a)in the case of proceedings conducted by the Director, the Director or a Chief Crown Prosecutor so directs;
(b)in the case of proceedings conducted by the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue or the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, that Director or those Commissioners so direct; or
(c)in the case of proceedings not conducted as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above, a person designated for the purpose by the Secretary of State so directs,
fresh proceedings for the offence may be instituted within a period of three months (or such longer period as the court may allow) after the date on which the original proceedings were stayed by the court.
(3)Fresh proceedings shall be instituted as follows—
(a)where the original proceedings were stayed by the Crown Court, by preferring a bill of indictment;
(b)where the original proceedings were stayed by a magistrates’ court, by laying an information.
(4)Fresh proceedings may be instituted in accordance with subsections (2) and (3)(b) above notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) of the M35Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (limitation of time).
(5)Where fresh proceedings are instituted, anything done in relation to the original proceedings shall be treated as done in relation to the fresh proceedings if the court so directs or it was done—
(a)by the prosecutor in compliance or purported compliance with section 3, 4, 7 or 9 of the M36Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996; or
(b)by the accused in compliance or purported compliance with section 5 or 6 of that Act.
(6)Where a person is convicted of an offence in fresh proceedings under this section, the institution of those proceedings shall not be called into question in any appeal against that conviction.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Marginal CitationsM35
1980 c.43. M36
1996 c.25. 23 Discontinuance of proceedings in magistrates’ courts.E+W(1)Where the Director of Public Prosecutions has the conduct of proceedings for an offence, this section applies in relation to the preliminary stages of those proceedings.
(2)In this section, “preliminary stage ” in relation to proceedings for an offence does not include—
(4)Where, in the case of a person charged with an offence after being taken into custody without a warrant, the Director gives him notice, at a time when no magistrates’ court has been informed of the charge, that the proceedings against him are discontinued, they shall be discontinued with effect from the giving of that notice.
(6)On giving any notice under subsection (3) above the Director shall inform the accused of the notice and of the accused’s right to require the proceedings to be continued; but the Director shall not be obliged to give the accused any indication of his reasons for not wanting the proceedings to continue.
(10)In this section “prescribed ” means prescribed by rules made under section 144 of the M37Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Marginal CitationsM37
1980 c. 43. Valid from 04/01/1999 23A Discontinuance of proceedings after accused has been sent for trial.E+W(1)This section applies where—
(a)the Director of Public Prosecutions, or a public authority (within the meaning of section 17 of this Act), has the conduct of proceedings for an offence; and
(b)the accused has been sent for trial under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for the offence.
(2)Where, at any time before the indictment is preferred, the Director or authority gives notice under this section to the Crown Court sitting at the place specified in the notice under section 51(7) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 that he or it does not want the proceedings to continue, they shall be discontinued with effect from the giving of that notice.
(3)The Director or authority shall, in any notice given under subsection (2) above, give reasons for not wanting the proceedings to continue.
(4)On giving any notice under subsection (2) above the Director or authority shall inform the accused of the notice; but the Director or authority shall not be obliged to give the accused any indication of his reasons for not wanting the proceedings to continue.
(5)The discontinuance of any proceedings by virtue of this section shall not prevent the institution of fresh proceedings in respect of the same offence.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C11
S. 23A applied (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 36(3), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(g) 24 Restriction of vexatious prosecutions.E+W(1)Section 42 of the M38Supreme Court Act 1981 (restriction of vexatious civil proceedings) shall be amended as follows.
(a)in paragraphs (a) and (b) for the word “legal ” there shall be substituted, in each case, “civil ”;
(b)at the end of paragraph (b) there shall be inserted— “or (c)instituted vexatious prosecutions (whether against the same person or different persons),”; and
(c)for the words from “order ” to the end of the subsection there shall be substituted—
“make a civil proceedings order, a criminal proceedings order or an all proceedings order.”.
“civil proceedings order ” means an order that—
“criminal proceedings order ” means an order that—
“all proceedings order ” means an order which has the combined effect of the two other orders.”.
(4)In subsection (3), for the word “legal ” there shall be substituted “civil ”.
(6)In subsection (4), for the words from “for the institution ” to the end there shall be substituted “required by virtue of this section ”.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Marginal CitationsM38
1981 c. 54. 25 Consents to prosecutions etc. E+W(1)This section applies to any enactment which prohibits the institution or carrying on of proceedings for any offence except—
(a)with the consent (however expressed)— of a Law Officer of the Crown or the Director; or
(a)shall not prevent the arrest without warrant, or the issue or execution of a warrant for the arrest, of a person for any offence, or the remand in custody or on bail of a person charged with any offence; and
(3)In this section “enactment ” includes any provision having effect under or by virtue of any Act; and this section applies to enactments whenever passed or made.
26 Consents to be admissible in evidence.E+WAny document purporting to be the consent of a Law Officer of the Crown, the Director or a Crown Prosecutor for, or to—
(a)the institution of any criminal proceedings; or
F4027. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+WAnnotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F40
S. 27 repealed (14.10.1991 ) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(7), Sch. 15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2) 28 Repeal of s. 9 of Perjury Act 1911.E+WSection 9 of the M39Perjury Act 1911 (which gives certain judicial authorities power to order the prosecution of persons for perjury) shall cease to have effect.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Marginal CitationsM39
1911 c. 6. Part IV E+W Supplemental 29 Regulations.E+W(1)Any power to make regulations under this Act shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Subordinate Legislation MadeP6
S. 29: power previously exercised by S.I.1985/1846, 1987/299, 1988/164, 1989/767, 1989/1105.
S. 29(2): s. 22(1)(with ss. 22(2) and 29(2)) power exercised by S.I.1991/1515.
30 Expenses.E+W(1)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament such sums as the Attorney General may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct in respect of the expenditure incurred by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the discharge of his functions under this Act.
31 Short title, commencement and extent etc. E+W(1)This Act may be cited as the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
(b)sections 11 to 13; and
(c)section 15, so far as it applies in relation to sections 11 to 13;
(a)appoint different days for different purposes and in relation to proceedings instituted in different areas; and
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C12
Power of appointment conferred by s. 31(2)(3) partly exercised: S.I. 1985/1849, 1986/1029, 1334
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