[F1Proof by affidavit of service of summons, handwriting, etc.N.I.
126.—(1) Without prejudice to any other mode of proof, service on a person of any summons, notice, process or document required or authorised to be served in any proceedings before a magistrates' court and the handwriting or seal of any resident magistrate or[F2 lay magistrate], clerk of petty sessions or other officer or person on any warrant, summons, notice, process recognizance or other document, may be proved by affidavit[F3 or by such other document as may be prescribed].
(2) Any affidavit purporting to be made and attested in the prescribed form shall be received in evidence and shall be deemed to be duly made and attested until the contrary is shown.
[F3(3) Magistrates' courts rules may provide that any document purporting to be given as a document prescribed under paragraph (1) shall be received in evidence and shall be deemed to be duly given unless the contrary is shown.
(4) Without prejudice to Article 10 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979, if, in a document purporting to be given as a document prescribed under paragraph (1), a person—
(a)makes a statement that he knows to be false in a material particular, or
(b)recklessly makes any statement that is false in a material particular,
he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or both.]]
F1Art. 118-118E and cross-headings substituted (1.1.2012) for art. 118 and preceding cross-heading by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 c. 24 (NI), ss. 100(1), 111(3) (with s. 106(4), Sch. 6 para. 8); S.R. 2011/370, art. 3(f)