National Security Act 2023

4 (1) On an appeal under this Schedule to any court, that court must allow the appeal and quash the conviction.

(2) An appeal under this Schedule to the Court of Appeal against a conviction on indictment in England and Wales or Northern Ireland—

(a) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant has previously appealed against the conviction,

(b) may not be brought after the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the right of appeal arises by virtue of paragraph 3, and

(c) is to be treated as an appeal under section 1 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 or, in Northern Ireland, under section 1 of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980, but does not require leave in either case.

(3) An appeal under this Schedule to the High Court of Justiciary against a conviction on indictment in Scotland—

(a) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant has previously appealed against the conviction,

(b) may not be brought after the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the right of appeal arises by virtue of paragraph 3, and

(c) is to be treated as an appeal under section 106 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 for which leave has been granted.

(4) An appeal under this Schedule to the Crown Court against a summary conviction in England and Wales—

(a) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant pleaded guilty,

(b) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant has previously appealed against the conviction or made an application in respect of the conviction under section 111 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (case stated),

(c) may not be brought after the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the right of appeal arises by virtue of paragraph 3, and

(d) is to be treated as an appeal under section 108(1)(b) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.

(5) An appeal under this Schedule to the Sheriff Appeal Court against a summary conviction in Scotland—

(a) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant pleaded guilty,

(b) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant has previously appealed against the conviction,

(c) may not be brought after the end of the period of two weeks beginning with the day on which the right of appeal arises by virtue of paragraph 3,

(d) is to be by note of appeal, which shall state the ground of appeal,

(e) is to be treated as an appeal for which leave has been granted under Part 10 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and

(f) must be in accordance with such procedure as the High Court of Justiciary may, by Act of Adjournal, determine.

(6) An appeal under this Schedule to the county court against a summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

(a) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant pleaded guilty,

(b) may be brought irrespective of whether the appellant has previously appealed against the conviction or made an application in respect of the conviction under Article 146 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)) (case stated),

(c) may not be brought after the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the right of appeal arises by virtue of paragraph 3, and

(d) is to be treated as an appeal under Article 140(1)(b) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)).