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An Act to amend the Law of Evidence with respect to Bankers’ Books.
[23rd May 1879]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act extended by Isle of Man Act 1979 (c. 58, SIF 29:4), s. 12(3)
C2Act extended by International Westminster Bank Act 1989 (c. xvi), ss. 10, 13
C3Act applied (10.6.1991) by Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (c. 5, SIF 39:1), s. 4(6), Sch. 1 para. 6; S.I. 1991/1072, art. 2, Sch. Pt. I
C4Act applied (19.12.1991) by Commercial and Private Bank Act 1991 (c. xxii), s. 10(1) (with ss. 13, 15).
C5Act applied (with modifications) (1.12.1992) by Ulster Bank Act 1992 (c. xiii), ss. 3,10
C6Act extended (29.3.1993) by 1993 c. iii, s. 9(1).
Act extended (E.W.N.I.) (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. xiv, s. 9(1).
Act extended (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xvii, s. 13(2).
Act extended (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xviii, s. 11(1).
Act applied by 1996 c. ii, ss. 5(2), 9(2)
Act applied by 1996 c. vii, ss. 3, 9(1) (with s. 16)
Act extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/172, art. 31
Act applied by 1998 c. v, ss. 3, 12(2)(3)
Act applied by 1999 c. iv, ss. 3, 11(2)(3)
Act applied (10.2.2000) by 2000 c. iii, s. 12(1) (with s. 16)
Act applied (22.3.2001) by 2001 c. i, s. 9(1) (with s. 13)
Act applied (4.12.2001) by 2001 c. v, s. 14(2)
Act applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, regs. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 13(5) (with regs. 39, 45)
Act extended (with effect as mentioned in s. 4(1) of the amending Act) by 2002 c. iii, s. 13(2)
Act applied (with effect as mentioned in s. 4(1)(d) of the amending Act) by 2002 c. iv, s. 12(2)
C7Act applied (26.4.2004) by Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32), ss. 15(5), 94, Sch. 1 para. 7; S.I. 2004/786, art. 3
C8Act applied (with modifications) (1.7.2004) by The Government Stock Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1611), regs. 1, 7(7) (with regs. 33, 35)
C9Act applied (with effect as mentioned in s. 9 of the amending Act) by HBOS Group Reorganisation Act 2006 (c. i), ss. 3, 20(2)
This Act may be cited as the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 1879.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 2 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1894 (c. 56), Sch. 1
Subject to the provisions of this Act, a copy of any entry in a banker’s book shall in all legal proceedings be received as prima facie evidence of such entry, and of the matters, transactions, and accounts therein recorded.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10Ss. 3–5 excluded (S.) by Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 32, SIF 47), ss. 6(3), 9, 10(3)
A copy of an entry in a banker’s book shall not be received in evidence under this Act unless it be first proved that the book was at the time of the making of the entry one of the ordinary books of the bank, and that the entry was made in the usual and ordinary course of business, and that the book is in the custody or control of the bank.
Such proof may be given by a partner or officer of the bank, and may be given orally or by an affidavit sworn before any commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits.
[F2Where the proceedings concerned are proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices, this section shall have effect with the omission of the words “orally or”.]
Textual Amendments
F2Words in s. 4 inserted (E.W.) (4.7.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 39 of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 25, s. 47, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 15 (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C11Ss. 3–5 excluded (S.) by Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 32, SIF 47), ss. 6(3), 9, 10(3)
C12S. 4 modified (1.12.1992) by Ulster Bank Act 1992 (c. xiii), ss. 3, 10(2)
C13S. 4 modified (29.3.1993) by 1993 c. iii, s. 9(2).
s. 4 modified (E.W.N.I.) (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. xiv, s. 9(2).
s. 4 modified (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xvii, s. 13(3).
s. 4 modified (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xviii, s. 11(2).
S. 4 applied (with modifications) by 1996 c. ii, ss. 5(2), 9(3)
S. 4 applied (24.7.1996) by 1996 c. vii, s. 9(2) (with s. 16)
S. 4 modified (10.2.2000) by 2000 c. iii, s. 12(3) (with s. 16)
S. 4 modified (22.3.2001) by 2001 c. i, s. 9(2) (with s. 13)
S. 4 modified (4.12.2001) by 2001 c. V, s. 14(3)
S. 4 modified (with effect as mentioned in s. 4(1) of the amending Act) by 2002 c. iii, s. 13(3)
S. 4 modified (with effect as mentioned in s. 4(1)(d) of the amending Act) by 2002 c. iv, s. 12(3)
C14S.4 modified (with effect as mentioned in s. 9 of the amending Act) by HBOS Group Reorganisation Act 2006 (c. i), ss. 3, 20(3)
A copy of an entry in a banker’s book shall not be received in evidence under this Act unless it be further proved that the copy has been examined with the original entry and is correct.
Such proof shall be given by some person who has examined the copy with the original entry, and may be given either orally or by an affidavit sworn before any commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits.
[F3Where the proceedings concerned are proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring into an offence as examining justices, this section shall have effect with the omission of the words “either orally or”].
Textual Amendments
F3Words in s. 5 inserted (4.7.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 39 of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 25 s. 47, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 16 ( with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1(2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C15Ss. 3–5 excluded (S.) by Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 32, SIF 47), ss. 6(3), 9, 10(3)
A banker or officer of a bank shall not, in any legal proceeding to which the bank is not a party, be compellable to produce any banker’s book the contents of which can be proved under this Act [F4or under the Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988][F5 or Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995], or to appear as a witness to prove the matters, transactions, and accounts therein recorded, unless by order of a judge made for special cause.
Textual Amendments
F4Words inserted (S.) by Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 32, SIF 47), ss. 7(3), 10(3)
F5Words inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40 s. 5, Sch. 4 para 2
On the application of any party to a legal proceeding a court or judge may order that such party be at liberty to inspect and take copies of any entries in a banker’s book for any of the purposes of such proceedings. An order under this section may be made either with or without summoning the bank or any other party, and shall be served on the bank three clear days before the same is to be obeyed, unless the court or judge otherwise directs.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C16Power to extend s. 7 conferred by Army Act 1955 (c. 18), s. 103(2)(kk), Air Force Act 1955 (c. 19), s. 103(2)(kk) and Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c. 53), s. 58(3)
C17S. 7 applied (1.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2737, art.70
S. 7 power to extend conferred (1.4.1997) by 1955 c. 18, s. 103 (as substituted by 1996 c. 46, s. 5, Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 30; S.I. 1997/304 art. 2 (subject to saving in arts. 3, 4, Sch. 2))
S. 7 power to extend conferred (1.4.1997) by 1955 c. 19, s. 103 (as substituted by 1996 c. 46, s. 5, Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 46; S.I. 1997/304 art. 2 (subject to saving in arts. 3, 4, Sch. 2)
S. 7 power to extend conferred (1.4.1997) by 1957 c. 53, s. 58 (as substituted by 1996 c. 46, s. 5, Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 57; S.I. 1997/304 art. 2 (subject to saving in arts. 3, 4, Sch. 2)
S. 7 power extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/170, rule 76
C18S. 7 power extended (1.1.2008) by The Courts-Martial (Army) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3442), rule 92
C19S. 7 power extended (1.1.2008) by The Courts-Martial (Royal Navy) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3443), rule 89(1)
C20S. 7 power extended (1.1.2008) by The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3444), rule 92
C21S. 7 modified (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), rule 71
The costs of any application to a court or judge under or for the purposes of this Act, and the costs of anything done or to be done under an order of a court or judge made under or for the purposes of this Act shall be in the discretion of the court or judge, who may order the same or any part thereof to be paid to any party by the bank where the same have been occasioned by any default or delay on the part of the bank. Any such order against a bank may be enforced as if the bank was a party to the proceeding.
(1)In this Act the expressions “bank”and “banker”mean—
[F7(a)an institution authorised under the Banking Act 1987 or a municipal bank within the meaning of that Act;]
[F8(aa)a building society (within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986);]
(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F9
(c)the National Savings Bank; and
(d)the Post Office, in the exercise of its powers to provide banking services.
(2)Expressions in this Act relating to “bankers’ books”include ledgers, day books, cash books, account books and other records used in the ordinary business of the bank, whether those records are in written form or are kept on microfilm, magnetic tape or any other form of mechanical or electronic data retrieval mechanism.]
Textual Amendments
F6S. 9 substituted with saving by Banking Act 1979 (c. 37, SIF 10), s. 51(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 13
F7S. 9(1)(a) substituted by Banking Act 1987 (c. 22, SIF 10), s. 108(1), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(2)
F8S. 9(1)(aa)inserted by Building Societies Act 1986 (c. 53, SIF 16), ss. 54(3)(a)(5), 120, Sch. 18 Pt. 1 para. 1
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C22Definition of “banker” extended by instruments listed in the Chronological Table of the Statutes
C23S. 9(1) modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3218, reg. 82(1), Sch. 10 Pt. I para.2.
C24S. 9(2) applied (29.3.1993) by 1993 c. iii, s. 9(3).
s. 9(2) applied (E.W.N.I.) (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. xiv, s. 9(3).
s. 9(2) applied (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xvii, s. 13(1).
s. 9(2) applied (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. xviii, s. 11(3).
S. 9(2) applied by 1996 c. ii, ss. 5(2), 9(1)
S. 9(2) applied by 1996 c. vii, ss. 3, 9(3) (with s. 16)
In this Act—
The expression “legal proceeding” means any civil or criminal proceeding or inquiry in which evidence is or may be given, and includes
[F10(a)an arbitration;
(b)an application to, or an inquiry or other proceeding before, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal or any body exercising functions in relation to solicitors in Scotland or Northern Ireland corresponding to the functions of that Tribunal; and
(c)an investigation of a complaint by the adjudicator of a recognised scheme for the purposes of section 83 of the M1Building Societies Act 1986.]
The expression “the court” means the court, judge, arbitrator, persons or person before whom a legal proceeding is held or taken;
The expression “a judge” means with respect to England a judge of the High Court, and with respect to Scotland a lord ordinary of the Outer House of the Court of Session, and with respect to Ireland a judge of the [F11High Court in Northern Ireland];
The judge of a county court may with respect to any action in such court exercise the powers of a judge under this Act.
Textual Amendments
F10S. 10(a)-(c) substituted (9.6.1997) for words in s. 10 by 1997 c. 32, s. 45(1); S.I. 1997/1427, art. 2
F11Words substituted by S.R. & O. 1921/1802 (Rev. XVI, p. 954: 1921, p. 1332), art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C25References to Ireland to be construed as exclusive of Republic of Ireland: S.R. & O. 1923/405 (Rev. X, p. 298: 1923, p. 400), art. 2
Marginal Citations
Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, and any bank holiday shall be excluded from the computation of time under this Act.