The Criminal Procedure Rules 2005

Statement of offence

7.2.—(1) Every information laid in, or summons, warrant or other document issued or made by, a magistrates' court shall be sufficient if it—

(a) describes the offence with which the accused is charged, or of which he is convicted, in ordinary language avoiding as far as possible the use of technical terms; and

(b) gives such particulars as may be necessary to provide reasonable information about the nature of the charge.

(2) It shall not be necessary for any of those documents to—

(a) state all the elements of the offence; or

(b) negative any matter upon which the accused may rely.

(3) If the offence charged is one created by or under any Act, the description of the offence shall contain a reference to the section of the Act, or, as the case may be, the rule, order, regulation, bylaw or other instrument creating the offence.

[Note. Formerly rules 4(3) and 100 of the Magistrates' Courts Rules 1981.]