Representation of the People Act 1983

56 Registration appeals: England and Wales. U.K.

(1) An appeal lies to the county court—

(a) from any decision under this Act of the registration officer on any claim for registration or objection to a person’s registration made to and considered by him,

(b) from any decision under this Act of the registration officer disallowing a person’s application to [F1 vote by proxy or by post as elector] or to vote by post as proxy, in any case where the application is not made for a particular election only,

(c)

F2 (d) from any decision under this Act of the registration officer to make or not to make an alteration in a register as published,

but an appeal does not lie where the person desiring to appeal has not availed himself of a prescribed right to be heard by or make representations to the registration officer on the matter which is the subject of the appeal, or has not given the prescribed notice of appeal within the prescribed time.

(2) No appeal lies from the decision of the Court of Appeal on appeal from a decision of the county court under this section.

(3) An appeal to the county court or Court of Appeal by virtue of this section which is pending when notice of an election is given shall not prejudice the operation as respects the election of the decision appealed against, and anything done in pursuance of the decision shall be as good as if no such appeal had been brought and shall not be affected by the decision of the appeal.

(4) Notice shall be sent to the registration officer in manner provided by rules of court of the decision of the county court or of the Court of Appeal on any appeal by virtue of this section, and the registration officer shall make such alterations in the electors lists or register as may be required to give effect to the decision.

[F3 (4A) Where, as a result of the decision on an appeal, an alteration in the register is made under subsection (4) above on or before the last day on which nomination papers nominating candidates at an election may be delivered to the returning officer, subsection (3) above does not apply to that appeal as respects that election.]

(5) The registration officer shall undertake such duties in connection with appeals brought by virtue of this section as may be prescribed and shall on any such appeal be deemed to be a party to the proceedings, and the registration expenses payable to a registration officer shall include any expenses properly incurred by him by virtue of this subsection.

(6)F4

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 11, Sch. 2 para. 1

F2 S. 56(1)(c) repealed by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), ss. 24, 28, Sch. 4 para. 16(a), Sch. 5

F3 S. 56(4A) inserted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 16(b)

F4 S. 56(6) repealed by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 28, Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 56 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 S. 56 applied with modifications (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 S. 56 applied with modifications (S.) by S.I. 1986/1111, regs. 2, 13(3)(4)(5), Sch. 3 Pt. I

C4 S. 56 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/1091, regs. 2, 14(3)(4)(5), Sch. 3 Pt. I

C5 S. 56 applied with modifications (E.W.) by S.I. 1986/1081, regs. 2, 14(3)(4)(5), Sch. 3 Pt. I

C6 Ss. 56-58 applied (with modifications) (17.2.1994) by S.I. 1994/342, regs. 1(2)(3), 2(2), 9(4)

C7 S. 56 restricted (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 2(3)

S. 56 modified (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/450, art. 4(1)

S. 56 modified (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/450, art. 5(3)(5)

C8 S. 56(1) extended (N.I.) (with modifications) by Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 3, SIF 42), ss. 2, 13(6), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C9 S. 56(3)–(5) extended (N.I.) (with modifications) by Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 3, SIF 42), ss. 2, 13(6), Sch. 1 Pt. I