Local Government Act 1972

234 Authentication of documents. E+W

(1)Any notice, order or other document which a local authority are authorised or required by or under any enactment (including any enactment in this Act) to give, make or issue may be signed on behalf of the authority by the proper officer of the authority.

(2)Any document purporting to bear the signature of the proper officer of the authority shall be deemed, until the contrary is proved, to have been duly given, made or issued by the authority of the local authority.

In this subsection the word “signature” includes a facsimile of a signature by whatever process reproduced.

(3)Where any enactment or instrument made under an enactment makes, in relation to any document or class of documents, provision with respect to the matters dealt with by one of the two foregoing subsections, that subsection shall not apply in relation to that document or class of documents.

[F1(4)In this section “local authority” includes a joint authority [F2and a police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1964] . . . F3.]

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 234(4) inserted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 para. 14(e); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, arts. 4, 5, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 234 modified (07.08.1991) by S.I.1991/1773 art.8(2), Sch. 2

S. 234: certain functions transferred (07.08.1991) by S.I.1991/1773, art. 8, Sch. 2

S. 234 applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)

S. 234 extended (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 17(2)(d) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)