Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22)

Part IV U.K. Appeals, courts, judges and court proceedings

Appeals U.K.

54 Permission to appeal. E+W

(1) Rules of court may provide that any right of appeal to—

(a) a county court,

(b) the High Court, or

(c) the Court of Appeal,

may be exercised only with permission.

(2) This section does not apply to a right of appeal in a criminal cause or matter.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1) rules of court may make provision as to—

(a) the classes of case in which a right of appeal may be exercised only with permission,

(b) the court or courts which may give permission for the purposes of this section,

(c) any considerations to be taken into account in deciding whether permission should be given, and

(d) any requirements to be satisfied before permission may be given,

and may make different provision for different circumstances.

(4) No appeal may be made against a decision of a court under this section to give or refuse permission (but this subsection does not affect any right under rules of court to make a further application for permission to the same or another court).

(5) For the purposes of this section a right to make an application to have a case stated for the opinion of the High Court constitutes a right of appeal.

(6) For the purposes of this section a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal includes—

(a) the right to make an application for a new trial, and

(b) the right to make an application to set aside a verdict, finding or judgment in any cause or matter in the High Court which has been tried, or in which any issue has been tried, by a jury.

55 Second appeals. E+W

(1) Where an appeal is made to a county court or the High Court in relation to any matter, and on hearing the appeal the court makes a decision in relation to that matter, no appeal may be made to the Court of Appeal from that decision unless the Court of Appeal considers that—

(a) the appeal would raise an important point of principle or practice, or

(b) there is some other compelling reason for the Court of Appeal to hear it.

(2) This section does not apply in relation to an appeal in a criminal cause or matter.

56 Power to prescribe alternative destination of appeals. E+W

(1) The Lord Chancellor may by order provide that appeals which would otherwise lie to—

(a) a county court,

(b) the High Court, or

(c) the Court of Appeal,

shall lie instead to another of those courts, as specified in the order.

(2) This section does not apply to an appeal in a criminal cause or matter.

(3) An order under subsection (1)—

(a) may make different provision for different classes of proceedings or appeals, and

(b) may contain consequential amendments or repeals of enactments.

(4) Before making an order under subsection (1) the Lord Chancellor shall consult—

(a) the Lord Chief Justice,

(b) the Master of the Rolls,

[F1 (c) the President of the Queen's Bench Division,

(d) the President of the Family Division, and

(e) the Chancellor of the High Court.]

(5) An order under subsection (1) shall be made by statutory instrument.

(6) No such order may be made unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(7) For the purposes of this section an application to have a case stated for the opinion of the High Court constitutes an appeal.

[F2 (8) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 56(4)(c)-(e) substituted (1.10.2005) for s. 56(4)(c)(d) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 280(2); S.I. 2005/2505, art. 2(c)

F2 S. 56(8) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 280(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(w)

57 Assignment of appeals to Court of Appeal. E+W

(1) Where in any proceedings in a county court or the High Court a person appeals, or seeks permission to appeal, to a court other than the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords—

(a) the Master of the Rolls, or

(b) the court from which or to which the appeal is made, or from which permission to appeal is sought,

may direct that the appeal shall be heard instead by the Court of Appeal.

(2) The power conferred by subsection (1)(b) shall be subject to rules of court.

58 Criminal appeals: minor amendments. U.K.

F3 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In section 8(1B)(b) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (power of Court to direct entry of judgment and verdict of acquittal on applications relating to order for retrial), after “to” insert “ set aside the order for retrial and ”.

(3) In section 9(2) of that Act (right of appeal against sentence for summary offence), insert at the end “ or sub-paragraph (4) of that paragraph. ”

(4) Section 10 of that Act (appeal to Court of Appeal by person dealt with by Crown Court for offence of which he was not convicted on indictment) is amended in accordance with subsections (5) to (7).

(5) F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) In subsection (4) (calculation of length of term of imprisonment), after “imprisonment” insert “ or detention ”.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 58(1)(6) repealed (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165(4), 168(1), Sch. 12 Pt. I (with Sch. 11 paras. 1, 2)

F4 S. 58(5) repealed (4.4.2005) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 332, 336, Sch. 37 Pt. 7; S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 44(4)(q) (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (which said Sch. 2 para. 23(1) was explained (29.7.2005) by S.I. 2005/2122, art. 2))

Civil division of Court of Appeal U.K.

59 Composition. U.K.

In section 54 of the M1 Supreme Court Act 1981 (composition of court of civil division of Court of Appeal), for subsections (2) to (4) (number of judges) substitute—

“(2) Subject as follows, a court shall be duly constituted for the purpose of exercising any of its jurisdiction if it consists of one or more judges.

(3) The Master of the Rolls may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, give (or vary or revoke) directions about the minimum number of judges of which a court must consist if it is to be duly constituted for the purpose of any description of proceedings.

(4) The Master of the Rolls, or any Lord Justice of Appeal designated by him, may (subject to any directions under subsection (3)) determine the number of judges of which a court is to consist for the purpose of any particular proceedings.

(4A) The Master of the Rolls may give directions as to what is to happen in any particular case where one or more members of a court which has partly heard proceedings are unable to continue.”

Marginal Citations

M1 1981 c.54.

60 Calling into question of incidental decisions. U.K.

For section 58 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (exercise of incidental jurisdiction in civil division of Court of Appeal) substitute—

“58 Calling into question of incidental decisions in civil division.

(1) Rules of court may provide that decisions of the Court of Appeal which—

(a) are taken by a single judge or any officer or member of staff of that court in proceedings incidental to any cause or matter pending before the civil division of that court; and

(b) do not involve the determination of an appeal or of an application for permission to appeal,

may be called into question in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) No appeal shall lie to the House of Lords from a decision which may be called into question pursuant to rules under subsection (1).”

High Court U.K.

61 Cases stated by Crown Court. U.K.

For section 28A of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (proceedings on case stated by magistrates’ court) substitute—

“28A Proceedings on case stated by magistrates’ court or Crown Court.

(1) This section applies where a case is stated for the opinion of the High Court—

(a) by a magistrates’ court under section 111 of the M2 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980; or

(b) by the Crown Court under section 28(1) of this Act.

(2) The High Court may, if it thinks fit, cause the case to be sent back for amendment and, where it does so, the case shall be amended accordingly.

(3) The High Court shall hear and determine the question arising on the case (or the case as amended) and shall—

(a) reverse, affirm or amend the determination in respect of which the case has been stated; or

(b) remit the matter to the magistrates’ court, or the Crown Court, with the opinion of the High Court,

and may make such other order in relation to the matter (including as to costs) as it thinks fit.

(4) Except as provided by the M3 Administration of Justice Act 1960 (right of appeal to House of Lords in criminal cases), a decision of the High Court under this section is final.”

Marginal Citations

M2 1980 c.43.

M3 1960 c.65.

62 Power to vary committal in default. U.K.

In the M4 Supreme Court Act 1981, after section 43 insert—

“43ZA Power of High Court to vary committal in default.

(1) Where the High Court quashes the committal of a person to prison or detention by a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court for—

(a) a default in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction; or

(b) want of sufficient distress to satisfy such a sum,

the High Court may deal with the person for the default or want of sufficient distress in any way in which the magistrates’ court or Crown Court would have power to deal with him if it were dealing with him at the time when the committal is quashed.

(2) If the High Court commits him to prison or detention, the period of imprisonment or detention shall, unless the High Court otherwise directs, be treated as having begun when the person was committed by the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court (except that any time during which he was released on bail shall not be counted as part of the period).”

Marginal Citations

M4 1981 c.54.

63 Criminal causes and matters. U.K.

(1) In section 1(1)(a) of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 (appeal to House of Lords from decision of Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division in a criminal cause or matter), for “a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division” substitute “ the High Court ”.

(2) In sections 4(2) and (3) and 9(2) of that Act (bail pending appeal), for “a Divisional Court” substitute “ the High Court ”.

64 Contempt of court. U.K.

(1) Section 13(2) of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 (appeals in cases of contempt of court) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (a) (appeal from inferior courts from which appeal does not lie to Court of Appeal to lie to a Divisional Court of the High Court), omit “a Divisional Court of”.

(3) In paragraph (b) (appeal to Court of Appeal from county court or single judge of High Court), for “decision, of a single” substitute “ decision (other than a decision on an appeal under this section) of a single ”.

(4) In paragraph (c) (appeal from Divisional Court or Court of Appeal to House of Lords), insert at the beginning “ from a decision of a single judge of the High Court on an appeal under this section, ”.

65 Habeas corpus. U.K.

(1) In the M5 Administration of Justice Act 1960, omit—

(a) section 14(1) (order for release on criminal application for habeas corpus to be refused only by Divisional Court of Queen’s Bench Division), and

(b) section 15(2) (no appeal to House of Lords from order made by single judge on criminal application for habeas corpus).

(2) In section 15 of that Act (appeals in habeas corpus cases)—

(a) in subsection (3) (no restriction on grant of leave to appeal to House of Lords against decision of Divisional Court on a criminal application for habeas corpus), and

(b) in subsection (4) (exceptions to right to be discharged in case of appeal to House of Lords against order of Divisional Court on such an application),

for “a Divisional Court” substitute “ the High Court ”.

Marginal Citations

M5 1960 c.65.

Crown Court U.K.

F5 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 66 repealed (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165(4), 168(1), Sch. 12 Pt. I (with Sch. 11 paras. 1, 2)

67 Time limits where accused sent for trial. U.K.

(1) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the M6 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (regulations about service of evidence where a person is sent without committal proceedings to Crown Court)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1) (regulations to provide that evidence be served on or before the relevant date) omit the words “on or before the relevant date” and after paragraph (b) insert “ before the expiry of the period prescribed by the regulations; but the judge may at his discretion extend or further extend that period. ”, and

(b) for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) The regulations may make provision as to the procedure to be followed on an application for the extension or further extension of a period under sub-paragraph (1) above.”

(2) In section 13(1) of the M7 Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (transitional time limits relating to service of unused material), after paragraph (c) insert—

“(ca) copies of the documents containing the evidence on which the charge or charges are based are served on the accused (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(cc)),”.

(3) In section 22 of the M8 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (time limits in preliminary stages of criminal proceedings), in paragraph (a) of the definition of “appropriate court” in subsection (11) (which has effect so as to allow the Crown Court to extend time limits where the accused is committed for trial or indicted), after “trial” insert “ , sent for trial under section 51 of the M9 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 ”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 67 partly in force; s. 67 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(1); s. 67(1)(3) in force at 27.9.1999 see s. 108(3)(b); s. 67(2) in force for certain areas at 27.9.1999 by S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(b), Sch. 1; s. 67(2) in force insofar as not already in force (8.1.2001) by S.I. 2000/3280, art. 2(a)

Marginal Citations

M6 1998 c.37.

M7 1996 c.25.

M8 1985 c.23.

M9 1998 c.37.

Judges etc. U.K.

68 Judges holding office in European or international courts. U.K.

(1) A holder of a United Kingdom judicial office may hold office in a relevant international court without being required to relinquish the United Kingdom judicial office.

(2) In this section—

• “United Kingdom judicial office” means the office of—

  (a)

  Lord Justice of Appeal, Justice of the High Court or Circuit judge, in England and Wales,

  (b)

  judge of the Court of Session or sheriff, in Scotland, or

  (c)

  Lord Justice of Appeal, judge of the High Court or county court judge, in Northern Ireland, and

• “relevant international court” means—

  (a)

  any court established for any purposes of the European Communities, or

  (b)

  any international court (apart from the European Court of Human Rights) which is designated [F6 in relation to the holder of a United Kingdom judicial office by the appropriate Minister].

(3) A holder of a United Kingdom judicial office who also holds office in a relevant international court is not required to perform any duties as the holder of the United Kingdom judicial office but does not count as holding the United Kingdom judicial office—

(a) for the purposes of section 12(1) to (6) of the M10 Supreme Court Act 1981, section 9(1)(c) or (d) of the M11 Administration of Justice Act 1973, section 18 of the M12 Courts Act 1971, section 14 of the M13 Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907 or section 106 of the M14 County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 (judicial salaries),

(b) for the purposes of, or of any scheme established by and in accordance with, the M15 Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993, the M16 Judicial Pensions Act 1981, the M17 Sheriffs’ Pensions (Scotland) Act 1961 or the County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 (judicial pensions), or

(c) for the purposes of section 2(1) or 4(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981, section 1(1) of the M18 Court of Session Act 1988 or section 2(1) or 3(1) of the M19 Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (judicial numbers).

(4) If the sheriff principal of any sheriffdom also holds office in a relevant international court, section 11(1) of the M20 Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (temporary appointment of sheriff principal) applies as if the office of sheriff principal of that sheriffdom were vacant.

(5) The appropriate Minister may by order made by statutory instrument make in relation to a holder of a United Kingdom judicial office who has ceased to hold office in a relevant international court such transitional provision (including, in particular, provision for a temporary increase in the maximum number of judges) as he considers appropriate.

(6) In [F7 this section]“the appropriate Minister” means—

(a) in relation to any United Kingdom judicial office specified in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition in subsection (2), the Lord Chancellor, and

(b) in relation to any United Kingdom judicial office specified in paragraph (b) of that definition, the Secretary of State.

(7) A statutory instrument containing an order made under subsection (5) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F8 (8) The Lord Chancellor may exercise functions under this section in relation to the holder of a United Kingdom judicial office specified in paragraph (a) of the definition in subsection (2) only after consulting the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

(9) The Lord Chancellor may exercise functions under this section in relation to the holder of a United Kingdom judicial office specified in paragraph (c) of the definition in subsection (2) only after consulting the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

(10) The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales may nominate a judicial office holder (within the meaning of section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (8).

(11) The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland may nominate any of the following to exercise his functions under subsection (9)—

(a) the holder of one of the offices listed in Schedule 1 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002;

(b) a Lord Justice of Appeal (as defined in section 88 of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in definition of "relevant international court" in s. 68(2) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 281(2); S.I. 2005/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(x)

F7 Words in s. 68(6) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 281(3); S.I. 2005/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(x)

F8 S. 68(8)-(11) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 281(4); S.I. 2005/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(x)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 68(3)(b) excluded (1.9.2001) by 2001 c. 17, s. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 7(5)(a) (with s. 78); S.I. 2001/2161, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M10 1981 c.54.

M11 1973 c.15.

M12 1971 c.23.

M13 1907 c.51.

M14 1959 c.25(N.I.).

M15 1993 c.8.

M16 1981 c.20.

M17 1961 c.42.

M18 1988 c.36.

M19 1978 c.23.

M20 1971 c.58.

69 Vice-president of Queen’s Bench Division. U.K.

(1) The [F9 Lord Chief Justice may, after consulting the Lord Chancellor,] appoint one of the ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal as vice-president of the Queen’s Bench Division; and any person so appointed shall hold that office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

[F10 (1A) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (1).]

(2) In section 4 of the M21 Supreme Court Act 1981 (composition of High Court)—

(a) in subsection (1) (membership), after the words “the Senior Presiding Judge;” insert—

“(ddd) the vice-president of the Queen’s Bench Division;”, and

(b) in subsection (6) (vacancy in offices not to affect constitution), at the end insert “ and whether or not an appointment has been made to the office of vice-president of the Queen’s Bench Division. ”

(3) In section 5 of that Act (divisions of High Court), in subsection (1)(b) (Queen’s Bench Division), after “thereof,” insert “ the vice-president of the Queen’s Bench Division ”.

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in s. 69(1) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 282(2); S.I. 2005/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(x)

F10 S. 69(1A) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 282(3); S.I. 2005/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(x)

Marginal Citations

M21 1981 c.54.

70 Registrar of civil appeals. E+W

F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F11 S. 70 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 1 Group 4}

Court proceedings U.K.

71 Adjournment of inquest in event of judicial inquiry. U.K.

(1) In the M22 Coroners Act 1988, after section 17 insert—

“17A Adjournment of inquest in event of judicial inquiry.

(1) If on an inquest into a death the coroner is informed by the Lord Chancellor before the conclusion of the inquest that—

(a) a public inquiry conducted or chaired by a judge is being, or is to be, held into the events surrounding the death; and

(b) the Lord Chancellor considers that the cause of death is likely to be adequately investigated by the inquiry,

the coroner shall, in the absence of any exceptional reason to the contrary, adjourn the inquest and, if a jury has been summoned, may, if he thinks fit, discharge them.

(2) Where a coroner adjourns an inquest in compliance with subsection (1) above, he shall send to the registrar of deaths a certificate under his hand stating, so far as they have been ascertained at the date of the certificate, the particulars which under the 1953 Act are required to be registered concerning the death.

(3) Where a coroner has adjourned an inquest in compliance with subsection (1) above, the Lord Chancellor shall send him the findings of the public inquiry as soon as reasonably practicable after their publication.

(4) A coroner may only resume an inquest which has been adjourned in compliance with subsection (1) above if in his opinion there is exceptional reason for doing so; and he shall not do so—

(a) before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the findings of the public inquiry are published; or

(b) if the Lord Chancellor notifies the coroner that this paragraph applies, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the public inquiry is concluded.

(5) Where a coroner resumes an inquest which has been adjourned in compliance with subsection (1) above—

(a) the provisions of section 8(3) above shall not apply in relation to that inquest; and

(b) if he summons a jury (but not where he resumes without a jury, or with the same jury as before the adjournment), he shall proceed in all respects as if the inquest had not previously begun and the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly as if the resumed inquest were a fresh inquest.

(6) Where a coroner does not resume an inquest which he has adjourned in compliance with subsection (1) above, he shall (without prejudice to subsection (2) above) send to the registrar of deaths a certificate under his hand stating any findings of the public inquiry in relation to the death.”

(2) In section 8(4) of that Act (power to summon jury), for “either before he proceeds to hold an inquest” substitute “ before he proceeds to hold an inquest, on resuming an inquest begun with a jury after the inquest has been adjourned and the jury discharged ”.

(3) In the sidenote to section 16 of that Act (adjournment of inquest in certain cases), for “certain cases” substitute “ event of criminal proceedings ”.

Marginal Citations

M22 1988 c.13.

72 Reporting of proceedings relating to children. U.K.

In section 97 of the M23 Children Act 1989 (privacy for children involved in certain proceedings)—

(a) in subsection (2) (which prohibits the publication of material intended or likely to identify a child as being involved in proceedings before a magistrates’ court in which powers under that Act may be exercised), after “before” insert “ the High Court, a county court or ”, and

(b) in subsection (8) (which makes provision about the application of certain provisions of the M24 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 in relation to proceedings to which section 97 applies), after “any proceedings” insert “ (before a magistrates’ court) ”.

Marginal Citations

M23 1989 c.41.

M24 1980 c.43.

73 Power to allow children to attend criminal proceedings. U.K.

(1) In section 36 of the M25 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (child not to be present at criminal trial except where required as witness or otherwise for the purposes of justice), after “justice” insert “ or while the court consents to his presence ”.

(2) In section 50(1) of the M26 Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (child not to be present at criminal proceedings unless required as witness or otherwise for the purposes of justice), after “justice” insert “ or the court consents to his presence ”.

Marginal Citations

M25 1933 c.12.

M26 1995 c.46.