http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1972/70

Part XI General Provisions as to Local Authorities

Legal proceedings

222 Power of local authorities to prosecute or defend legal proceedings.

(1)

Where a local authority consider it expedient for the promotion or protection of the interests of the inhabitants of their area—

(a)

they may prosecute or defend or appear in any legal proceedings and, in the case of civil proceedings, may institute them in their own name, and

(b)

they may, in their own name, make representations in the interests of the inhabitants at any public inquiry held by or on behalf of any Minister or public body under any enactment.

(2)

In this section “local authority” includes the Common Council F1and a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 ~~F2F3and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority~~ F2and the London Fire Commissioner.

223 Appearance of local authorities in legal proceedings.

(1)

Any member or officer of a local authority who is authorised by that authority to prosecute or defend on their behalf, or to appear on their behalf in, proceedings before a magistrates’ court shall be entitled to prosecute or defend or to appear in any such proceedings, and, F4to conduct any such proceedings.

(2)

In this section “local authority” includes the Common Council F5, a joint authority, F6an economic prosperity board, a combined authority, F7a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, F8...F9 the Greater London AuthorityF10andF11, a F12police and crime commissioner and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime . . .. . ..