Criminal Justice Act 2003

Part 8 E+W Live links

51 Live links in criminal proceedings E+W

[F1 (1) A witness (other than the defendant) may, if the court so directs, give evidence through a live link in the following criminal proceedings.]

[F1 (1) A person may, if the court so directs, take part in eligible criminal proceedings through—

(a) a live audio link, or

(b) a live video link.

(1A) A direction under this section may be given for a judge or justice to take part in eligible criminal proceedings through a live audio link or a live video link.

(1B) But no direction under this section may be given for any member of a jury to take part in eligible criminal proceedings through a live audio link or a live video link.]

(2) [F2 They are—] [F2 In this Part “eligible criminal proceedings” means—]

(a) a summary trial,

[F3 (b) an appeal to the Crown Court arising out of such a trial,]

[F3 (b) a criminal appeal to the Crown Court and any proceedings that are preliminary or incidental to such an appeal,]

(c) a trial on indictment [F4 or any other trial in the Crown Court for an offence],

[F5 (ca) proceedings under section 4A or 5 of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964,

(cb) proceedings under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983,

(cc) proceedings under—

(i) section 11 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, or

(ii) section 81(1)(g) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 or section 16 of this Act in respect of a person who has been remanded by a magistrates' court on adjourning a case under that section of the 2000 Act,]

(d) an appeal to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal [F6 and any proceedings that are preliminary or incidental to such an appeal],

[F7 (da) a reference to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General under Part 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and any proceedings that are preliminary or incidental to such a reference,]

(e) the hearing of a reference under section 9 or 11 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (c. 35) [F8 and any proceedings that are preliminary or incidental to such a hearing],

(f) a hearing before a magistrates' court or the Crown Court which is held after the defendant has entered a plea of guilty, [F9 and]

[F10 (fa) a hearing under section 142(1) or (2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 or under section 155 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 or section 385 of the Sentencing Code,]

(g) a hearing before the Court of Appeal under section 80 of this [F11 Act] [F11 Act and any proceedings that are preliminary or incidental to such a hearing, and]

[F12 (h) any hearing following conviction held for the purpose of making a decision about bail in respect of the person convicted;

but hearings to which Part 3A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 applies (see section 57A(1) of that Act) are not eligible criminal proceedings.]

(3) A direction may be given under this section—

(a) on an application by a party to the proceedings, or

(b) of the court’s own motion.

[F13 (4) But a direction may not be given under this section unless—

(a) the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of the efficient or effective administration of justice for the person concerned to give evidence in the proceedings through a live link,

(b) it has been notified by the Secretary of State that suitable facilities for receiving evidence through a live link are available in the area in which it appears to the court that the proceedings will take place, and

(c) that notification has not been withdrawn.]

[F13 (4) But the court may not give a direction for a person to take part in eligible criminal proceedings through a live audio link or a live video link unless—

(a) the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice for the person concerned to take part in the proceedings in accordance with the direction through the live audio link or through the live video link,

(b) the parties to the proceedings have been given the opportunity to make representations, and

(c) the relevant youth offending team has been given the opportunity to make representations, if it is a case where the defendant is a party to the proceedings and either—

(i) the defendant has not attained the age of 18 years, or

(ii) the defendant has attained the age of 18 years since proceedings for the offence were begun, and the court has decided to continue to deal with the case as if he or she had not attained that age.]

[F14 (4A) The power conferred by this section includes power to give—

(a) a direction that is applicable to several, or all, of the persons taking part in particular eligible criminal proceedings;

(b) a direction that is applicable to a particular person in respect of only some aspects of particular eligible criminal proceedings (such as giving evidence or attending the proceedings when not giving evidence);

(c) a direction for a person who is outside England and Wales (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) to take part in eligible criminal proceedings through a live audio link or a live video link.

(4B) The power of the court to give a direction under this section is subject to Schedule 3A (prohibitions and limitations on use of live links).

(4C) The court may vary a live link direction under this section; and the provisions of this Part that apply to the giving of such a direction also apply to the variation of such a direction.

(4D) If a court gives a live link direction under this section for a person to take part in particular proceedings by giving evidence through a live audio link or a live video link, the person may not give evidence except in accordance with the direction.

(4E) The court may rescind a live link direction under this section at any time before or during the eligible criminal proceedings to which it relates (but this does not affect the court's power to give a further live link direction in relation to the proceedings).

(4F) A live link direction under this section may not be rescinded unless—

(a) the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice for the direction to be rescinded,

(b) the parties to the proceedings have been given the opportunity to make representations,

(c) the relevant youth offending team has been given the opportunity to make representations, if it is a case where the defendant is a party to the proceedings and either—

(i) the defendant has not attained the age of 18 years, or

(ii) the defendant has attained the age of 18 years since proceedings for the offence were begun, and the court has decided to continue to deal with the case as if he or she had not attained that age.

(4G) A live link direction under this section may be varied or rescinded by the court of its own motion or on an application by a party; but such an application may not be made unless there has been a material change of circumstances since the direction was given.

(4H) If a hearing takes place in relation to the giving or rescinding of a live link direction under this section, the court may require or permit a person to take part in that hearing through—

(a) a live audio link, or

(b) a live video link.]

[F15 (5) The withdrawal of such a notification is not to affect a direction given under this section before that withdrawal.]

(6) In deciding whether to give [F16 or rescind] a direction under this section the court must consider all the circumstances of the case.

[F17 (7) Those circumstances include in particular—

(a) the availability of the witness,

(b) the need for the witness to attend in person,

(c) the importance of the witness’s evidence to the proceedings,

(d) the views of the witness,

(e) the suitability of the facilities at the place where the witness would give evidence through a live link,

(f) whether a direction might tend to inhibit any party to the proceedings from effectively testing the witness’s evidence.]

[F17 (7) Those circumstances include in particular—

(a) in the case of a direction relating to a witness—

(i) the importance of the witness's evidence to the proceedings;

(ii) whether a direction might tend to inhibit any party to the proceedings from effectively testing the witness's evidence;

(b) in the case of a direction relating to any participant in the proceedings—

(i) the availability of the person;

(ii) the need for the person to attend in person;

(iii) the views of the person;

(iv) the suitability of the facilities at the place where the person would take part in the proceedings in accordance with the direction;

(v) whether the person will be able to take part in the proceedings effectively if he or she takes part in accordance with the direction.]

(8) The court must state in open court its reasons for refusing an application for a direction under this section and, if it is a magistrates' court, must cause them to be entered in the register of its proceedings.

[F18 (9) The following functions of a magistrates' court under this section may be discharged by a single justice—

(a) giving a live link direction under this section;

(b) rescinding a live link direction before the eligible criminal proceedings concerned begin; and

(c) requiring or permitting a person to attend by live link a hearing about a matter within paragraph (a) or (b).

(10) A court may not refuse or revoke bail for a person (P) at eligible criminal proceedings if—

(a) any person takes part in the proceedings— other than for the purpose of giving evidence — through a live audio link, and

(b) P objects to the refusal or revocation.

(11) But subsection (10) does not apply if section 4 of the Bail Act 1976 does not apply to P.

(12) A court may not deal with a person for contempt of court (including enquiring into conduct and imposing punishment) at eligible criminal proceedings in which any person takes part — other than for the purpose of giving evidence — through a live audio link.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 51(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 51(1) (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(2) (with ss. 88-90)

F2 Words in s. 51(2) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F3 S. 51(2)(b) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F4 Words in s. 51(2)(c) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(c) (with ss. 88-90)

F5 S. 51(2)(ca)-(cc) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(d) (with ss. 88-90)

F6 Words in s. 51(2)(d) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(e) (with ss. 88-90)

F7 S. 51(2)(da) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(f) (with ss. 88-90)

F8 Words in s. 51(2)(e) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(g) (with ss. 88-90)

F9 Word in s. 51(2)(f) omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(h) (with ss. 88-90)

F10 S. 51(2)(fa) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(i) (with ss. 88-90) (as amended (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 301(2) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)

F11 Words in s. 51(2)(g) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(j) (with ss. 88-90)

F12 S. 51(2)(h) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(3)(k) (with ss. 88-90)

F13 S. 51(4) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(4) (with ss. 88-90)

F14 S. 51(4A)-(4H) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(5) (with ss. 88-90)

F15 S. 51(5) omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(6) (with ss. 88-90)

F16 Words in s. 51(6) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(7) (with ss. 88-90)

F17 S. 51(7) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(8) (with ss. 88-90)

F18 S. 51(9)-(12) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(9) (with ss. 88-90)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 51 wholly in force at 26.4.2010; s. 51 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 51 in force for certain purposes at 7.12.2007 by S.I. 2007/3451, arts. 2, 3 (with art. 4); s. 51 in force in so far as not already in force at 26.4.2010 by S.I. 2010/1183, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

[F19 52 Effect of, and rescission of, direction E+W

(1) Subsection (2) applies where the court gives a direction under section 51 for a person to give evidence through a live link in particular proceedings.

(2) The person concerned may not give evidence in those proceedings after the direction is given otherwise than through a live link (but this is subject to the following provisions of this section).

(3) The court may rescind a direction under section 51 if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so.

(4) Where it does so, the person concerned shall cease to be able to give evidence in the proceedings through a live link, but this does not prevent the court from giving a further direction under section 51 in relation to him.

(5) A direction under section 51 may be rescinded under subsection (3)—

(a) on an application by a party to the proceedings, or

(b) of the court’s own motion.

(6) But an application may not be made under subsection (5)(a) unless there has been a material change of circumstances since the direction was given.

(7) The court must state in open court its reasons—

(a) for rescinding a direction under section 51, or

(b) for refusing an application to rescind such a direction,

and, if it is a magistrates' court, must cause them to be entered in the register of its proceedings.]

Textual Amendments

F19 S. 52 omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 2(10) (with ss. 88-90)

Commencement Information

I2 S. 52 wholly in force at 26.4.2010; s. 52 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 52 in force for certain purposes at 7.12.2007 by S.I. 2007/3451, arts. 2, 3 (with art. 4); s. 52 in force in so far as not already in force at 26.4.2010 by S.I. 2010/1183, art. 2(b) (with art. 4)

53 Magistrates' courts permitted to sit at other locations E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a magistrates' court is minded to give a direction under section 51 for [F20 evidence to be given through a live link in proceedings before the court] [F20 a person to take part in proceedings before the court through a live audio link or a live video link], and

(b) suitable facilities for [F21 receiving such evidence] [F21 such participation] are not available at any [F22 place at] which the court can (apart from subsection (2)) lawfully sit.

(2) The court may sit for the purposes of the whole or any part of the proceedings at any place at which such facilities are available and which has been [F23 authorised by a direction under section 30 of the Courts Act 2003].

[F24 (3) If the place mentioned in subsection (2) is outside the local justice area in which the justices act it shall be deemed to be in that area for the purpose of the jurisdiction of the justices acting in that area.]

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in s. 53(1)(a) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 3(2)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F21 Words in s. 53(1)(b) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 3(2)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F22 Words in s. 53(1)(b) substituted (1.4.2005) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 99(a)

F23 Words in s. 53(2) substituted (1.4.2005) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 99(b)

F24 S. 53(3) substituted (1.4.2005) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 99(c)

[F25 53A Requirement to attend court, perjury E+W

(1) A person who takes part in eligible criminal proceedings in accordance with a direction under section 51 is to be treated as complying with any requirement (however imposed or expressed) for that person to attend or appear before court, or to surrender to the custody of the court, for the purposes of that participation in those proceedings.

(2) A person who takes part in eligible criminal proceedings in accordance with a direction under section 51 is to be treated as present in court for the purposes of those proceedings.

(3) Eligible criminal proceedings that are conducted—

(a) wholly as audio proceedings, or

(b) wholly as video proceedings,

are to be regarded as taking place at the location where the member or members of the court take part in the proceedings.

(4) A statement made on oath by a witness outside the United Kingdom and given in evidence through a live audio link or a live video link in accordance with a direction under section 51 is to be treated for the purposes of section 1 of the Perjury Act 1911 as having been made in the proceedings in which it is given in evidence.]

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 53A inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 4 (with ss. 88-90) (which affecting provision is continued until 25.9.2022 by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Delay in Expiry: Inquests, Courts and Tribunals, and Statutory Sick Pay) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/362), regs. 1(2), 2)

54 Warning to jury E+W

(1) This section applies where, as a result of a direction under section 51, evidence has been given through [F26 a live link] [F26 a live audio link or a live video link by a witness (including the defendant)] in proceedings before the Crown Court.

(2) The judge may give the jury (if there is one) such direction as he thinks necessary to ensure that the jury gives the same weight to the evidence as if it had been given by the witness in the courtroom or other place where the proceedings are held.

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in s. 54(1) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 5 (with ss. 88-90)

Commencement Information

I3 S. 54 wholly in force at 26.4.2010; s. 54 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 54 in force for certain purposes at 7.12.2007 by S.I. 2007/3451, arts. 2, 3 (with art. 4); s. 54 in force in so far as not already in force at 26.4.2010 by S.I. 2010/1183, art. 2(c) (with art. 4)

55 Rules of court E+W

(1) [F27 Criminal Procedure Rules] may make such provision as appears to the [F28 Criminal Procedure Rule Committee] to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Part.

(2) [F29 Criminal Procedure Rules] may in particular make provision—

(a) as to the procedure to be followed in connection with applications under section 51 [F30 or 52], and

(b) as to the arrangements or safeguards to be put in place in connection with the operation of [F31 live links] [F31 live audio links and live video links].

(3) The provision which may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) includes provision—

(a) for [F32 uncontested] applications to be determined by the court without a hearing,

(b) for preventing the renewal of an unsuccessful application under section 51 unless there has been a material change of circumstances,

(c) for the manner in which confidential or sensitive information is to be treated in connection with an application under section 51 [F33 or 52] and in particular as to its being disclosed to, or withheld from, a party to the proceedings.

(4) Nothing in this section is to be taken as affecting the generality of any enactment conferring power to make [F34 Criminal Procedure Rules].

Textual Amendments

F27 Words in s. 55(1) substituted (1.9.2004) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035), art. 3, Sch. para. 47(2)(a) (with art. 2(2))

F28 Words in s. 55(1) substituted (1.9.2004) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035), art. 3, Sch. para. 47(2)(b) (with art. 2(2))

F29 Words in s. 55(2) substituted (1.9.2004) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035), art. 3, Sch. para. 47(3) (with art. 2(2))

F30 Words in s. 55(2)(a) omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 6(2)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F31 Words in s. 55(2)(b) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 6(2)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F32 Word in s. 55(3)(a) omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 6(3)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F33 Words in s. 55(3)(c) omitted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 6(3)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F34 Words in s. 55(4) substituted (1.9.2004) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035), art. 3, Sch. para. 47(4) (with art. 2(2))

56 Interpretation of Part 8 E+W

(1) In this Part—

• [F35 “bail” includes remand to local authority accommodation in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012,]

• [F35 “eligible criminal proceedings ” has the meaning given in section 51(2),]

• “legal representative” means [F36 a person who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007, is an authorised person in relation to an activity which constitutes the exercise of a right of audience or the conduct of litigation (within the meaning of that Act),]

• F37 ...

• [F38 “local justice area” has the same meaning as in the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)],

• [F39 “ relevant youth offending team” has the same meaning as in the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39),]

• F40 ...

• “witness”, in relation to any criminal proceedings, means a person called, or proposed to be called, to give evidence in the proceedings.

[F41 (2) In this Part “live link” means a live television link or other arrangement by which a witness, while at a place in the United Kingdom which is outside the building where the proceedings are being held, is able to see and hear a person at the place where the proceedings are being held and to be seen and heard by the following persons.]

[F41 (2A) A reference to a person taking part in eligible criminal proceedings includes—

(a) giving evidence in the proceedings, and

(b) attending the proceedings when not giving evidence.

(2B) A “live audio link”, in relation to a person (P) taking part in eligible criminal proceedings, is a live telephone link or other arrangement which—

(a) enables P to hear all other persons taking part in the proceedings who are not in the same location as P, and

(b) enables all other persons taking part in the proceedings who are not in the same location as P to hear P.

(2C) Eligible criminal proceedings are conducted wholly as audio proceedings if—

(a) directions have been given under section 51 for all of the persons taking part in the proceedings to do so through a live audio link, and

(b) all of those persons take part in the proceedings in accordance with those directions.

(2D) A “live video link”, in relation to a person (P) taking part in eligible criminal proceedings, is a live television link or other arrangement which—

(a) enables P to see and hear all other persons taking part in the proceedings who are not in same location as P, and

(b) enables all other persons taking part in the proceedings who are not in the same location as P to see and hear P.

(2E) Eligible criminal proceedings are conducted wholly as video proceedings if—

(a) directions have been given, whether under section 51 or any other power, for all of the persons taking part in the proceedings to do so through a live video link, and

(b) all of those persons take part in the proceedings in accordance with those directions.]

(3) [F42 They are—] [F42 A reference to the persons participating in eligible criminal proceedings includes—]

(a) the defendant or defendants,

(b) the [F43 judge or justices (or both)] [F43 member or members of the court] and the jury (if there is one),

[F44 (ba) witnesses in the proceedings,]

(c) legal representatives acting in the proceedings, and

(d) any interpreter or other person appointed by the court to assist [F45 the witness] [F45 in the proceedings].

[F46 (3A) Subsections (2A) to (3) apply for the purposes of this Part.]

[F47 (4) The extent (if any) to which a person is unable to see or hear by reason of any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (2).]

[F47 (4) The following matters are to be disregarded for the purposes of subsections (2B) and (2D)—

(a) the extent (if any) to which a person is unable to see or hear by reason of any impairment of eyesight or hearing;

(b) the effect of any direction or order which provides for one person taking part in proceedings to be prevented by means of a screen or other arrangement from seeing another person taking part in the proceedings.]

(5) Nothing in this Part is to be regarded as affecting any power of a court—

(a) to make an order, give directions or give leave of any description in relation to any witness (including the defendant or defendants), or

(b) to exclude evidence at its discretion (whether by preventing questions being put or otherwise).

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in s. 56(1) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(2)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F36 S. 56(1): words in definition of "legal representative" substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 146 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(h) (with art. 9)

F37 In s. 56(1) definition of "petty-sessional court-house" omitted (1.4.2005) by virtue of The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 100

F38 In s. 56(1) definition of "local justice area" substituted (1.4.2005) for definition of "petty sessions area" by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 100

F39 Words in s. 56(1) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(2)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F40 In s. 56(1) definition of "rules of court" omitted (1.9.2004) by virtue of The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035), art. 3, Sch. para. 48 (with art. 2(2))

F41 S. 56(2A)-(2E) substituted for s. 56(2) (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(3) (with ss. 88-90)

F42 Words in s. 56(3) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(4)(a) (with ss. 88-90)

F43 Words in s. 56(3)(b) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(4)(b) (with ss. 88-90)

F44 S. 56(3)(ba) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(4)(c) (with ss. 88-90)

F45 Words in s. 56(3)(d) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(4)(d) (with ss. 88-90)

F46 S. 56(3A) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(5) (with ss. 88-90)

F47 S. 56(4) substituted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 23 para. 7(6) (with ss. 88-90)

Commencement Information

I4 S. 56 wholly in force at 26.4.2010; s. 56 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 56 in force for certain purposes at 7.12.2007 by S.I. 2007/3451, arts. 2, 3 (with art. 4); s. 56 in force in so far as not already in force at 26.4.2010 by S.I. 2010/1183, art. 2(d) (with art. 4)