- Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (Diwygiedig)
- Pwynt Penodol mewn Amser (02/07/2002)
- Gwreiddiol (Fel y'i Deddfwyd)
Version Superseded: 01/09/2004
Point in time view as at 02/07/2002. This version of this cross heading contains provisions that are not valid for this point in time.
Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, Cross Heading: Process is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
(1)No objection shall be allowed to any information or complaint, or to any summons or warrant to procure the presence of the defendant, for any defect in it in substance or in form, or for any variance between it and the evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecutor or complainant at the hearing of the information or complaint.
(2)If it appears to a magistrates’ court that any variance between a summons or warrant and the evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecutor or complainant is such that the defendant has been misled by the variance, the court shall, on the application of the defendant, adjourn the hearing.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 123 applied (with modifications) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/704, rule 5(1)(3)(4)(h)(6)
A warrant or summons issued by a justice of the peace shall not cease to have effect by reason of his death or his ceasing to be a justice.
(1)A warrant of arrest issued by a justice of the peace shall remain in force until it is executed or withdrawn [F1or it ceases to have effect in accordance with the rules].
(2)A warrant of arrest, warrant of commitment, [F2warrant of detention,] warrant of distress or search warrant issued by a justice of the peace may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by any person to whom it is directed or by any constable acting within his police area.
F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This subsection does not apply to a warrant of commitment or a warrant of distress issued under Part VI of the M1General Rate Act 1967.
F4(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 125(1) inserted (19.2.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 97(4) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2001/168, arts. 1, 2(a) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3 of that S.I.)
F2Words in s. 125(2) inserted (8.1.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 95(1) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/3280, art. 2(b) (with transitional provisions in art. 3)
F3S. 125(2): the second paragraph (which was inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33), ss. 65(1), 123(6), Sch. 8 para. 16) repealed (8.1.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 108(1), Sch. 15 Pt. V(8) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/3280, art.2(c)(i)
F4S. 125(3) repealed (19.2.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. V(8) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/168, arts. 1, 2(b)
F5S. 125(4) repealed (19.2.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. V(8) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/168, arts. 1, 2(b)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 125-126 applied (temp.) (23.2.2004 and 29.3.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.4.2004 until 31.3.2006) by The Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/176), regs. 1(3), 10 (with reg. 3) (as amended (30.3.2005) by S.I. 2005/484, regs. 1(1)(a)(2), 2, 4)
Marginal Citations
Yn ddilys o 06/04/2014
(1)This section applies to a warrant of control issued by a justice of the peace.
(2)The person to whom it is directed must endorse the warrant as soon as possible after receiving it.
(3)For the purposes of this section a person endorses a warrant by inserting on the back the date and time when he received it.
(4)No fee may be charged for endorsing a warrant under this section.]
(1)A warrant to which this subsection applies may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by a civilian enforcement officer.
(2)In this section “civilian enforcement officer”, in relation to a warrant, means a person who—
(a)is employed by an authority of a prescribed class which performs functions in relation to any area specified in the warrant; and
(b)is authorised in the prescribed manner to execute warrants.
(3)The warrants to which subsection (1) above applies are any warrant of arrest, commitment, detention or distress issued by a justice of the peace—
(a)under any provision specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State, acting jointly; or
(b)for the enforcement of a court order of any description so specified.
(4)Where a warrant has been executed by a civilian enforcement officer, a written statement indicating—
(a)the name of the officer;
(b)the authority by which he is employed; and
(c)that he is authorised in the prescribed manner to execute warrants,
shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or against whom distress is levied, be shown to him as soon as practicable.
(5)The power to make orders conferred by subsection (3) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]
Textual Amendments
F7S. 125A inserted (8.1.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 92, (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/3280, art. 2(b)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 125-126 applied (temp.) (23.2.2004 and 29.3.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.4.2004 until 31.3.2006) by The Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/176), regs. 1(3), 10 (with reg. 3) (as amended (30.3.2005) by S.I. 2005/484, regs. 1(1)(a)(2), 2, 4)
(1)A warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies may also be executed anywhere in England and Wales—
(a)by an individual who is an approved enforcement agency;
(b)by a director of a company which is an approved enforcement agency;
(c)by a partner in a partnership which is an approved enforcement agency; or
(d)by an employee of an approved enforcement agency who is authorised in writing by the agency to execute warrants.
(2)In this section “approved enforcement agency”, in relation to a warrant, means a person or body approved under section 31A of the M2Justices of the Peace Act 1997 by the magistrates’ courts committee for the petty sessions area of the justice (or any of the justices) who issued the warrant.
(3)Failure by a magistrates’ courts committee to comply with any provision of, or made under, section 31A(2) to (5) of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 does not of itself render unlawful the execution of a warrant.
(4)Where a warrant has been executed by a person mentioned in subsection (1) above, a written statement indicating the matters specified in subsection (5) below shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or against whom distress is levied, be shown to him as soon as practicable.
(5)The matters referred to in subsection (4) above are—
(a)the name of the person by whom the warrant was executed;
(b)if he is a director of, or partner in, an approved enforcement agency, the fact that he is a director of, or partner in, that agency;
(c)if he is an employee of an approved enforcement agency, the fact that he is an employee authorised in writing by that agency to execute warrants; and
(d)the fact that his name, or (where paragraph (b) or (c) above applies) that of the agency indicated, is contained in the register maintained under section 31A(4) of the Justices of the M3Peace Act 1997 by the magistrates’ courts committee concerned.]
Textual Amendments
F8S. 125B inserted (8.1.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 93(2), (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/3280, art. 2(b)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 125-126 applied (temp.) (23.2.2004 and 29.3.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.4.2004 until 31.3.2006) by The Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/176), regs. 1(3), 10 (with reg. 3) (as amended (30.3.2005) by S.I. 2005/484, regs. 1(1)(a)(2), 2, 4)
Marginal Citations
Yn ddilys o 18/07/2005
Schedule 4A to this Act, which confers powers on persons authorised under section 125A or 125B for the purpose of executing warrants for the enforcement of fines and other orders, shall have effect.]
Textual Amendments
F9S. 125BA inserted (18.7.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 27(1), 60; S.I. 2005/1821, art. 2
(1)Basic personal information held by a relevant public authority may, on the application of a justices’ chief executive, be supplied by the authority to him (or to a justices’ clerk appointed by, or member of the staff of, his magistrates’ courts committee who is specified in the application) for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of a section 125A(1) warrant which is so specified.
(2)In this section—
“basic personal information” means a person’s name, date of birth or national insurance number or the address (or any of the addresses) of a person;
“relevant public authority” means a Minister of the Crown, government department, local authority or chief officer of police specified in an order made by the Lord Chancellor; and
“a section 125A(1) warrant” means a warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies and which has been issued by a justice of the peace to whom the justices’ chief executive making the application is chief executive.
(3)Information supplied to any person under subsection (1) above, or this subsection, for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of a section 125A(1) warrant may be supplied by him for that purpose to—
(a)any person entitled to execute the warrant;
(b)any employee of a body or person who, for the purposes of section 125B above, is an approved enforcement agency in relation to the warrant; or
(c)any person who is the justices’ chief executive, a justices’ clerk or a member of the staff of the magistrates’ courts committee whose justices’ chief executive made the application for the information.
(4)A person who intentionally or recklessly—
(a)discloses information supplied to him under this section otherwise than as permitted by subsection (3) above; or
(b)uses information so supplied otherwise than for the purpose of facilitating the enforcement of the section 125A(1) warrant concerned,
commits an offence.
(5)But it is not an offence under subsection (4) above—
(a)to disclose any information in accordance with any enactment or order of a court or for the purposes of any proceedings before a court; or
(b)to disclose any information which has previously been lawfully disclosed to the public.
(6)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) above is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(7)The power to make orders conferred by subsection (2) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]
Textual Amendments
F10S. 125C inserted (8.1.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 94, (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/3280, art. 2(b) (with transitional provisions in art. 3)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5S. 125C extended (8.1.2001) by S.I. 2000/3277, art. 2
Yn ddilys o 31/03/2005
(1)A magistrates' court may make a disclosure order if satisfied that it is necessary to do so for the purpose of executing a warrant to which this section applies.
(2)This section applies to a warrant of arrest, commitment, detention or distress issued by a justice of the peace in connection with the enforcement of a fine or other order imposed or made on conviction.
(3)A disclosure order is an order requiring the person to whom it is directed to supply the designated officer for the court with any of the following information about the person to whom the warrant relates—
(a)his name, date of birth or national insurance number;
(b)his address (or any of his addresses).
(4)A disclosure order may be made only on the application of a person entitled to execute the warrant.
(5)This section applies to the Crown as it applies to other persons.
Textual Amendments
F11Ss. 125CA, 125CB inserted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 28, 60; S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(c)
Yn ddilys o 31/03/2005
(1)Information supplied to a person under a disclosure order, or under this subsection, may be supplied by him to—
(a)the applicant for the order or any other person entitled to execute the warrant concerned;
(b)any employee of a body or person who, for the purposes of section 125B above, is an approved enforcement agency in relation to the warrant;
(c)any justices' clerk or other person appointed under section 2(1) of the Courts Act 2003.
(2)A person who intentionally or recklessly—
(a)discloses information supplied under a disclosure order otherwise than as permitted by subsection (1) above, or
(b)uses information so supplied otherwise than for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the warrant concerned,
commits an offence.
(3)But it is not an offence under subsection (2) above—
(a)to disclose any information in accordance with any enactment or order of a court or for the purposes of any proceedings before a court; or
(b)to disclose any information which has previously been lawfully disclosed to the public.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) above is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(5)In this section “disclosure order” has the meaning given by section 125CA(3) above.]
Textual Amendments
F11Ss. 125CA, 125CB inserted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 28, 60; S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(c)
(1)A warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies may be executed by any person entitled to execute it even though it is not in his possession at the time.
(2)A warrant to which this subsection applies (and which is not a warrant to which section 125A(1) above applies) may be executed by a constable even though it is not in his possession at the time.
(3)Subsection (2) above applies to—
(a)a warrant to arrest a person in connection with an offence;
(b)a warrant under section 186(3) of the M4Army Act 1955, section 186(3) of the M5Air Force Act 1955, section 105(3) of the M6Naval Discipline Act 1957 or Schedule 2 to the M7Reserve Forces Act 1996 (desertion etc.);
(c)a warrant under section 102 or 104 of the M8General Rate Act 1967 (insufficiency of distress);
(d)a warrant under section 47(8) of the M9Family Law Act 1996 (failure to comply with occupation order or non-molestation order);
(e)a warrant under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the M10Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (unwilling witnesses);
(f)a warrant under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 1 to the M11Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (offenders referred to court by youth offender panel); and
(g)a warrant under section 55, 76, 93, 97 or 97A above.
(4)Where by virtue of this section a warrant is executed by a person not in possession of it, it shall, on the demand of the person arrested, committed or detained or against whom distress is levied, be shown to him as soon as practicable.]
Textual Amendments
F12S. 125D inserted (19.2.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 96 (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2001/168, arts. 1, 2(a) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3 of that S.I.)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6Ss. 125-126 applied (temp.) (23.2.2004 and 29.3.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.4.2004 until 31.3.2006) by The Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/176), regs. 1(3), 10 (with reg. 3) (as amended (30.3.2005) by S.I. 2005/484, regs. 1(1)(a)(2), 2, 4)
Marginal Citations
Sections 12 to 14 of the M12Indictable Offences Act 1848 (which relate, among other things, to the execution in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands of warrants of arrest for the offences referred to in those sections) shall, so far as applicable, apply to—
(a)warrants of arrest issued under section 1 above for offences other than those referred to in the said sections 12 to 14;
(b)warrants of arrest issued under section 13 above;
(c)warrants of arrest issued under section 97 above other than warrants issued in bastardy proceedings to arrest a witness;F13. . .
[F14(cc)warrants of arrest issued under section 97A above;]
(d)warrants of commitment issued under this Act [F15; and.
(e)warrants of arrest issued under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998]; [F16and]
(f)warrants of arrest issued under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 1 to [F17the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000] (offender referred to court by youth offender panel).
Textual Amendments
F13Word "and" at the end of s. 126(c) repealed (4.1.1999 for the purpose of sending any person for trial under s. 51 of the substituting Act from any area specified in S.I. 1998/2327, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 1998/2412 and S.I. 2000/924) otherwise 15.1.2001) by 1998 c. 37, ss. 119, 120(2), Sch. 8 para. 45(a), Sch. 10; S.I. 1998/2327, art. 4(2)(c), Sch. 2; S.I. 2000/3283, art. 2(c) (subject to art. 3)
F14S. 126(cc) inserted (4.1.1999 for the purpose of sending any person for trial under s. 51 of the substituting Act from any area specified in S.I. 1998/2327, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 1998/2412 and S.I. 2000/924) otherwise 15.1.2001) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 45(b); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 4(2)(c), Sch. 2; S.I. 2000/3283, art. 2(c) (subject to art. 3)
F15S. 126(e) and the word "and" immediately preceding it inserted (4.1.1999 for the purpose of sending any person for trial under s. 51 of the substituting Act from any area specified in S.I. 1998/2327, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 1998/2412 and S.I. 2000/924) otherwise 15.1.2001) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 45(c); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 4(2)(c), Sch. 2; S.I. 2000/3283, art. 2(c) (subject to art. 3)
F16S. 126(f) and the preceding “and” inserted (26.6.2000) by 1999 c. 23, s. 67, Sch. 4 para. 9 (with Sch. 7 paras. 3(3), 5(2)); S.I. 2000/1587, art. 2(b)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C7S. 125-126 applied (temp.) (23.2.2004 and 29.3.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.4.2004 until 31.3.2006) by The Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/176), regs. 1(3), 10 (with reg. 3) (as amended (30.3.2005) by S.I. 2005/484, regs. 1(1)(a)(2), 2, 4)
Marginal Citations
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
Y Ddeddf Gyfan you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Ddeddf Gyfan heb Atodlenni you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Rhestrau you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (diwygiedig):Y fersiwn ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael o’r ddeddfwriaeth yn cynnwys newidiadau a wnaed gan ddeddfwriaeth ddilynol ac wedi eu gweithredu gan ein tîm golygyddol. Gellir gweld y newidiadau nad ydym wedi eu gweithredu i’r testun eto yn yr ardal ‘Newidiadau i Ddeddfwriaeth’.
Gwreiddiol (Fel y’i Deddfwyd neu y’i Gwnaed): Mae'r wreiddiol fersiwn y ddeddfwriaeth fel ag yr oedd pan gafodd ei deddfu neu eu gwneud. Ni wnaed unrhyw newidiadau i’r testun.
Pwynt Penodol mewn Amser: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Rhychwant ddaearyddol: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Dangos Llinell Amser Newidiadau: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Gallwch wneud defnydd o ddogfennau atodol hanfodol a gwybodaeth ar gyfer yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth o’r tab hwn. Yn ddibynnol ar yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth sydd i’w gweld, gallai hyn gynnwys:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Defnyddiwch y ddewislen hon i agor dogfennau hanfodol sy’n cyd-fynd â’r ddeddfwriaeth a gwybodaeth am yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth. Gan ddibynnu ar yr eitem o ddeddfwriaeth sy’n cael ei gweld gall hyn gynnwys:
liciwch ‘Gweld Mwy’ neu ddewis ‘Rhagor o Adnoddau’ am wybodaeth ychwanegol gan gynnwys