Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

1980 CHAPTER 43

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the jurisdiction of, and the practice and procedure before, magistrates’ courts and the functions of justices’ clerks, and to matters connected therewith, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.

[1st August 1980]

Extent Information

E1 Act extends to England and Wales but for exceptions to this see s. 155(2)-(6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act extended by Insurance Companies Act 1981 (c. 31, SIF 67), s. 14(3)

Act extended (E.W.) by Housing and Building Control Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 47(3)

Act extended (E.W.) by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 129(b)

Act extended (N.I.) by Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c. 50, SIF 67), s. 14(3)

Act modified (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/450, art. 140

Act excluded (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 21(3) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(a)(i)

Act excluded (31.8.2000) by 1997 c. 25, s. 10E (as substituted (31.8.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 78(1),(with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/1920, art. 3(a))

Act applied (E.)(1.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/227, reg. 8(1)

C2 Act extended by Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49, SIF 100:1), ss. 65A, 65B (as inserted by Housing and Building Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 57(1), Sch. 9)

C3 Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), ss. 26(1), 30(6), 40(1)(2), 50(2)

C4 Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40, SIF 50), s. 10A(3) (as inserted by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), s. 24)

C5 Act excluded (E.W.): by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 39(2)(3); (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 15(1)(2), 74(1)-(4) (with Sch. 4 para. 27)

C6 Act modified (E.W.) by Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53, SIF 107:1), ss. 59(2)(5), 92, 99(5)

C7 Act applied by Food Safety Act 1990 (c. 16, SIF 53:1, 2), ss. 37(3), 54

Act applied (1.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 27(2), 76(2), (with ss. 67(3)(5)(8), 72(6), 74(3)(4))

Act applied by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 81(7), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)

C8 Act: definition of "petty sessional court-house" applied (E.W.) (31.10.1991) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 92(1); S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(4), Sch. 3

C9 By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

C10 Act applied (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 14, s. 100, Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (with s. 72(5)); S.I. 1997/305, art.2

Act applied (W.) (1.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2197, s. 8(1)

Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 20(7), 23(5); S.I. 2001/3736, art. 2(a)

Act applied (22.1.2002) by 1998 c. 34, ss. 25(3), (with s. 29); S.I. 2000/3144, art. 2

Act applied (W.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1387, reg. 21(6)

Act applied (E.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1227, reg. 21(6) (with regs. 3, 29)

Act applied (15.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/1998 art. 16(2) (with art. 33)

Act applied (W.) (19.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/2127, reg. 24(6)

Act applied (W.) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2295, reg. 6(3)

Act applied (W) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2296, reg. 6(3)

Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2350, reg. 6(5)

Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2351, reg. 6(5)

Act applied (E.) (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2000/3047 reg. 13A (as inserted by S.I. 2002/2315, reg. 2(3))

Act applied (E.W.) (21.10.2002) by 2001 c. 3, s. 6(3); S.I. 2002/1914, art. 2

Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.1.2003) by 2001 c. 3, s. 23(3); S.I. 2002/2957, arts. 2, 3

Act applied (E.) (30.6.2003) by S.I. 2003/1478, reg. 8(5)

Act applied (E.) (11.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1722, reg. 6(5)

Act applied (E.) (30.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1940 {reg. 6(5)}

Act. applied (E.) (31.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1956, reg. 6(5) (as substituted (7.2.2005) by S.I. 2005/208, reg. 2(5))

Act applied (W.) (5.9.2003) by S.I. 2003/2254, reg. 6(5)

Act applied (E.) (1.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/1214, reg. 21(6)

Act applied (E.) (1.8.2004) by S.I. 2004/1740, reg. 21(6)

Act applied (E) (20.12.2004) by S.I. 2004/3062, reg. 8(5)

Act applied (W.) (10.6.2005) by S.I. 2005/1540, reg. 6(5)

Act applied (E.W.) (8.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2469, reg. 25(3)

Act applied (30.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2745, reg. 38(2) (which S.I. was revoked (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 44(1))

Act applied (W.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3368, regs. 13(2), 18(2)

Act applied (E.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3280, regs. 13(2), 18(2)

Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/14, reg. 20

Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/15, reg. 31 (which S.I. was revoked (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, reg. 49)

Act applied (W.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/31, reg. 20(2)

Act applied (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 38(2)

Act applied (E.) (24.11.2006) by S.I. 2006/2841, regs. 19(6), 21(8)

Act applied (W.) (14.2.2007) by S.I. 2007/376, reg. 21(8) (subject to reg. 22)

Act applied (12.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1711, Sch. 5 para. 4(2)

Act applied (1.10.2007) by S.I. 2007/2539, regs. 38(2), 40(7)

Act applied (3.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3106, reg. 10(4)

Act applied (E.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, regs. 12(2), 31(2)

Act applied (W.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3294, regs. 12(2), 31(2)

Act applied (prosp.) by 2006 c. 50, ss. 62(4), 79

C11 Act amended (W.) (29.2.2003) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/284), art. 127 (with art. 82(1))

Act amended (1.2.2007) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/236), arts. 1(1), 128 (with arts. 83(1), 137(1))

C12 Act restricted (E.W.) (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 26(1), 110; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3

Act restricted (E.W.) (15.12.2006) by S.I. 2006/3407, art. 7

C13 Act modified (E.W.) (24.3.2003) by 2002 c. 29, ss. 67(6)(b), 458(1)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

Act modified (E.W.) (4.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/384, rule 26.4(2)-(7)

C14 Act applied (W.) (25.9.2003) by The Food (Hot Chilli and Hot Chilli Products) (Emergency Control) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2455), reg. 6(5)

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (27.3.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Pilot Scheme) and Discharge of Fines by Unpaid Work (Pilot Schemes) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/502), arts. 1(1)(b)(2) {7}

C15 Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/41), regs. 1(2), 25(1)

C16 Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2002/528), reg. 16(2) (as substituted by 2008/91, reg. 2, Sch. para. 5)

C17 Act applied (1.10.2008) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7)

C18 Act applied (16.1.2009) by The Spirit Drinks Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3206), regs. 12(16)(a), 14(2)(a)

C19 Act applied (E.) (19.1.2009) by The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3252), reg. 5(5)

C20 Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 1 para. 9ZA(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 107 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)

C21 Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 6 para. 6A(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 108(6) (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)

C22 Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), Sch. 8 para. 25A(5) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para 109 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)

C23 Act applied (E.) (14.9.2009) by The Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2163), reg. 21(16)

C24 Act applied (1.10.2009) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)

C25 Act applied (23.11.2009) by The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2890), reg. 21(16)

C26 Act applied (E.) (1.1.2010) by The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3101), reg. 19(2) (with reg. 2)

C27 Act applied (E.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3255), regs. 12(2), 33(2)

C28 Act applied (W.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3376), reg. 33(2)

C29 Act applied (25.1.2010) by The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3391), art. 7(4) (with art. 2(1))

C30 Act applied (W.) (4.2.2010) by The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/66), reg. 19(2)

C31 Act applied (6.4.2010) by The Detergents Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/740), reg. 27(3)

C32 Act applied (6.4.2010) by The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/543), reg. 13(2)

C33 Act applied (E.) (1.6.2010) by The Beef and Pig Carcase Classification (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1090), reg. 20(3)

C34 Act applied (W.) (16.7.2010) by The Eggs and Chicks (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1671), reg. 21(16)

C35 Act applied (17.9.2010) by The Marketing of Fruit Plant Material Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2079), Sch. 4 para. 5(2) (with reg. 3)

C36 Act applied (27.9.2010) by The Pharmacy Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/231), arts. 1(5), 16(2); S.I. 2010/1621, art. 2(1), Sch.

C37 Act applied (E.) (21.3.2011) by The Poultrymeat (England) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/452), regs. 6(3)13(17), 15(2)

C38 Act applied (E.) (25.5.2011) by The Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1197), reg. 24 (with reg. 3)

C39 Act applied (18.6.2011) by The Magistrates’ Courts (Enforcement or Variation of Orders Made in Family Proceedings and Miscellaneous Provisions) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/1329), rule 28(1) (with rule 3)

C40 Act applied (W.) (1.7.2011) by The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (Wales) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1605), reg. 9(2)

C41 Act applied (E.) (1.7.2011) by The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (England) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1517), reg. 9(2)

C42 Act applied (1.10.2011) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2159), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)

C43 Act applied (with modifications) (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The International Recovery of Maintenance (Hague Convention 2007 etc.) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2814), Sch. 1 para. 2(8)

C44 Act excluded (1.4.2013) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 36(3)(4), 151(1) (with s. 43); S.I. 2013/453, art. 3(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2013/534, art. 6)

C45 Act applied (1.10.2013) by Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (c. 10), s. 23(2), Sch. 1 para. 9(4); S.I. 2013/1966, art. 3(u)

C46 Act applied (1.10.2013) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2033), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)

C47 Act applied (1.12.2013) by Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (c. 10), s. 23(2), Sch. 2 paras. 4(7), 7(5); S.I. 2013/1966, art. 4(h)

C48 Act applied (E.) (31.12.2013) by The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2996), reg. 22(2) (with reg. 1(2))

C49 Act applied (7.3.2015) by The Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/168), reg. 17(3) (with reg. 12(7))

C50 Act applied (E.) (6.4.2015) by The Animal Feed (Hygiene, Sampling etc. and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/454), reg. 12(2) (with reg. 3(1))

C51 Act applied (W.) (30.4.2015) by The Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3266), reg. 19(2)

C52 Act applied (E.) (27.6.2016) by The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/618), reg. 19(2) (with reg. 3)

C53 Act applied (W.) (19.6.2017) by The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/691), reg. 22(2)

C54 Act applied (W.) (20.11.2017) by The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1041), reg. 21(2) (with reg. 3)

C55 Act applied (E.) (8.3.2018) by The Novel Foods (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/154), reg. 6(2)

C56 Act applied (W.) (14.12.2018) by The Carcase Classification and Price Reporting (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1215), reg. 21(3) (with reg. 6)

C57 Act applied (temp.) (E.) (4.7.2020 at 00.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/684), regs. 1(2)(b), 6(13) (with reg. 11)

C58 Act applied (temp.) (E.) (18.7.2020 at 12.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/750), regs. 1(2), 6(5)(a) (with reg. 19)

C59 Act applied (temp.) (W.) (14.9.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/984), regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a) (with reg. 3)

C60 Act applied (temp.) (18.9.2020 at 12.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1011), regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a) (with reg. 3)

C61 Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

C62 Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 7 para. 26(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

C63 Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 10 para. 26(5) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

C64 Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

C65 Act applied (temp.) (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), regs. 1(1), 9(3)(a) (with reg. 12)

C66 Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 4(9A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 8(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))

C67 Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 5(9A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 9(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))

C68 Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 6(5A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 10(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))

C69 Act applied by S.I. 2012/2619, reg. 19C(2) (as inserted (25.12.2020) by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1410), regs. 1(2), 4(11))