Interpretation Act 1978

Section 5.

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Words and Expressions Defined

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 excluded in part (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the excluding Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 721(6)(b) (subject to Sch. 7)

Note: The years or dates which follow certain entries in this Schedule are relevant for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 (application to existing enactments).

Definitions U.K.

• [F1 “Act” means an Act of Parliament.]

• “Associated state” means a territory maintaining a status of association with the United Kingdom in accordance with the M1 West Indies Act 1967. [16th February 1967]

• “Bank of England” means, as the context requires, the Governor and Company of the Bank of England or the bank of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England.

• “Bank of Ireland” means, as the context requires, the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland or the bank of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland.

• “British Islands” means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. [1889]

• [F2 “British overseas territory” has the same meaning as in the British Nationality Act 1981;]

• “British possession” means any part of Her Majesty’s dominions outside the United Kingdom; and where parts of such dominions are under both a central and a local legislature, all parts under the central legislature are deemed, for the purposes of this definition, to be one British possession. [1889]

• F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “Building regulations”, in relation to England and Wales, [F4 has the meaning given by section 122 of the Building Act 1984]

• “Central funds”, in an enactment providing in relation to England and Wales for the payment of costs out of central funds, means money provided by Parliament.

• “Charity Commissioners” means the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales referred to in [F5 section 1 of the Charities Act 1993].

• “Church Commissioners” means the Commissioners constituted by the M2 Church Commissioners Measure 1947.

• “Colonial legislature”, and “legislature” in relation to a British possession, mean the authority, other than the Parliament of the United Kingdom or Her Majesty in Council, competent to make laws for the possession. [1889]

• “Colony” means any part of Her Majesty’s dominions outside the British Islands except—

  (a)

  countries having fully responsible status within the Commonwealth;

  (b)

  territories for whose external relations a country other than the United Kingdom is responsible;

  (c)

  associated states:

  and where parts of such dominions are under both a central and a local legislature, all parts under the central legislature are deemed for the purposes of this definition to be one colony. [1889]

• “Commencement”, in relation to an Act or enactment, means the time when the Act or enactment comes into force.

• “Committed for trial” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, committed in custody or on bail by a magistrates’ court pursuant to [F6 section 6 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980], or by any judge or other authority having power to do so, with a view to trial before a judge and jury; [1889]

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, committed in custody or on bail by a magistrates’ court pursuant to [F7 Article 37 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981], or by a court, judge, resident magistrate, justice of the peace or other authority having power to do so, with a view to trial on indictment. [1st January 1979]

• “The Communities”, “the Treaties” or “the Community Treaties” and other expressions defined by section 1 of and Schedule 1 to the M3 European Communities Act 1972 have the meanings prescribed by that Act.

• “Comptroller and Auditor General” means the Comptroller-General of the receipt and issue of Her Majesty’s Exchequer and Auditor-General of Public Accounts appointed in pursuance of the M4 Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1866.

• “Consular officer” has the meaning assigned by Article 1 of the Vienna Convention set out in Schedule 1 to the M5 Consular Relations Act 1968.

• [F8 “The Corporation Tax Acts” means the enactments relating to the taxation of the income and chargeable gains of companies and of company distributions (including provisions relating to income tax);]

• “County court” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, a court held for a district under [F9 the County Courts Act 1984]; [1846]

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, a court held for a division under the County Courts [F10 (Northern Ireland) Order 1980]. [1889]

• “Court of Appeal” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal in England;

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland.

• “Court of summary jurisdiction”, “summary conviction” and “Summary Jurisdiction Acts”, in relation to Northern Ireland, have the same meanings as in Measures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

• “Crown Court” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, the Crown Court constituted by section 4 of the M6 Crown Courts Act 1971;

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, the Crown Court constituted by section 4 of the M7 Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

• “Crown Estate Commissioners” means the Commissioners referred to in section 1 of the M8 Crown Estate Act 1961.

• [F11 “Enactment” does not include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.]

• “England” means, subject to any alteration of boundaries under Part IV of the M9 Local Government Act 1972, the area consisting of the counties established by section 1 of that Act, Greater London and the Isles of Scilly. [1st April 1974].

• “Financial year” means, in relation to matters relating to the Consolidated Fund, the National Loans Fund, or moneys provided by Parliament, or to the Exchequer or to central taxes or finance, the twelve months ending with 31st March. [1889]

• “Governor-General” includes any person who for the time being has the powers of the Governor-General, and “Governor”, in relation to any British possession, includes the officer for the time being administering the government of that possession. [1889]

• “High Court” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in England;

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.

• “The Income Tax Acts” means all enactments relating to income tax, including any provisions of the Corporation Tax Acts which relate to income tax.

• “Land” includes building and other structures, land covered with water, and any estate, interest, easement, servitude or right in or over land. [1st January 1979].

• “Lands Clauses Acts” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, the M10 Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 and the M11 Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts Amendment Act 1860, and any Acts for the time being in force amending those Acts; [1889]

  (b)

  in relation to Scotland, the M12 Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845 and the M13 Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts Amendment Act 1860, and any Acts for the time being in force amending those Acts; [1889]

  (c)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, the enactments defined as such by section 46(1) of the M14 Interpretation Act Northern Ireland) 1954. [1889]

• “Local land charges register”, in relation to England and Wales, means a register kept pursuant to section 3 of the M15 Local Land Charges Act 1975, and “the appropriate local land charges register” has the meaning assigned by section 4 of that Act.

• “London borough” means a borough described in Schedule 1 to the M16 London Government Act 1963, “inner London borough” means one of the boroughs so described and numbered from 1 to 12 and “outer London borough” means one of the boroughs so described and numbered from 13 to 32, subject (in each case) to any alterations made under Part IV of the M17 Local Government Act 1972 [F12 or Part II of the Local Government Act 1992].

• “Lord Chancellor” means the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

• “Magistrates’ court” has the meaning assigned to it—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, by [F13 section 148 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980];

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, by [F14 Article 2(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981].

• “Month” means calendar month. [1850]

• “National Debt Commissioners” means the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt.

• “Northern Ireland legislation” has the meaning assigned by section 24(5) of this Act. [1st January 1979]

• “Oath” and “affidavit” include affirmation and declaration, and “swear” includes affirm and declare.

• “Ordnance Map” means a map made under powers conferred by the M18 Ordnance Survey Act 1841 or the M19 Boundary Survey (Ireland) Act 1854.

• “Parliamentary Election” means the election of a Member to serve in Parliament for a constituency. [1889]

• “Person” includes a body of persons corporate or unincorporate. [1889]

• “Police area”, “police authority” and other expressions relating to the police have the meaning or effect described—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, by [F15 section 101(1) of the Police Act 1996];

  (b)

  in relation to Scotland, by sections 50 and 51(4) of the M20 Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

• [F16 “Police Service of Northern Ireland” and “Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve” have the same meaning as in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000;]

• “The Privy Council” means the Lords and others of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.

• [F17 “Registered” in relation to nurses and midwives, means registered in the register maintained under article 5 of the Nurses and Midwives Order 2001 by virtue of qualifications in nursing or midwifery, as the case may be.]

• “Registered medical practitioner” means a fully registered person within the meaning of [F18 the Medical Act 1983]. [1st January 1979]

• “Rules of Court” in relation to any court means rules made by the authority having power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of that court, and in Scotland includes Acts of Adjournal and Acts of Sederunt; and the power of the authority to make rules of court (as above defined) includes power to make such rules for the purpose of any Act which directs or authorises anything to be done by rules of court. [1889]

• “Secretary of State” means one of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State.

• [F19 “Sewerage undertaker”, in relation to England and Wales, shall be construed in accordance with section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991].

• “Sheriff”, in relation to Scotland, includes sheriff principal. [1889]

• [F20 “The standard scale”, with reference to a fine or penalty for an offence triable only summarily,—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, has the meaning given by section 37 of the M21 Criminal Justice Act 1982;

  (b)

  in relation to Scotland, has the meaning given by section 225(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995];

  (c)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, has the meaning given by Article 5 of the M22 Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.

• “Statutory declaration” means a declaration made by virtue of the M23 Statutory Declarations Act 1835.

• [F21 “Statutory maximum”, with reference to a fine or penalty on summary conviction for an offence,—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, means the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 32 of the M24 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980;

  (b)

  in relation to Scotland, means the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 225(8) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995]; and

  (c)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, means the prescribed sum within the meaning of Article 4 of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.

• “Supreme Court” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, the Court of Appeal and the High Court together with the Crown Court;

  (b)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, the Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland.

• [F22 “The Tax Acts” means the Income Tax Acts and the Corporation Tax Acts.]

• “The Treasury” means the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury.

• [F23 “Trust of land” and “trustees of land”, in relation to England and Wales, have the same meanings as in the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.]

• “United Kingdom” means Great Britain and Northern Ireland. [12th April 1927]

• [F24 “Wales” means the combined area of the counties which were created by section 20 of the M25 Local Government Act 1972, as originally enacted, but subject to any alteration made under section 73 of that Act (consequential alteration of boundary following alteration of watercourse).]

• [F25 “Water undertaker”, in relation to England and Wales, shall be construed in accordance with section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991].

• “Writing” includes typing, printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible form, and expressions referring to writing are construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1 In Sch. 1 definition of "Act" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

F2 Sch. 1: definition of "British overseas territory" inserted (26.2.2002) by 2002 c. 8, s. 1(3)

F3 Entry repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(8), Sch. 9

F4 Words substituted by Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(1), Sch. 6 para. 19

F5 Words in definition of "Charity Commissioners" in Sch. 1 substituted (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, ss. 98(1), 99(1), Sch. 6 para. 15

F6 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 169(a)

F7 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), s. 170(2), Sch. 6 para. 56(a)

F8 Definition substituted by Finance Act 1987 (c. 16, SIF 63:1), ss. 2(8), 71, Sch. 15 para. 12

F9 Words substituted by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 148(1), Sch. 2 Pt. V para. 68

F10 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/397 (N.I. 3), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F11 In Sch. 1 definition of "enactment" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

F12 Sch 1: words in definition of "London borough" inserted (31.10.1992) by Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19), s. 27(1), Sch. 3 para. 21; S.I. 1992/2371, art. 2

F13 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 169(b)

F14 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), s. 170(2), Sch. 6 para. 56(b)

F15 In Sch. 1 in definition of "police area" words substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 32

F16 Sch. 1: definitions of "Police Service of Northern Ireland" and "Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve" inserted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 74, Sch. 6, para. 5; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F17 Sch. 1: definition of "registered" substituted by S.I. 2002/253, art. 54, Sch. 5 para. 7 (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.I.)

F18 Words substituted by Medical Act 1983 (c. 54, SIF 83:1), s. 56(1), Sch. 5 para. 18

F19 Definition inserted (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 55(2), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

F20 Definition inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(1), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 58(a)

F21 Definition inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(1), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 58(b)

F22 Definition substituted by Finance Act 1987 (c. 16, SIF 63:1), ss. 2(8), 71, Sch. 15 para. 12

F23 In Sch. 1 definitions of "trust of land" and "trustees of land" inserted (E.W.) (1.1.1997) by 1996 c. 47, s. 25(1), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with ss. 24(2), 25(4)(5)); S.I. 1996/2974, art. 2

F24 Definition of "Wales" in Sch. 1 substituted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 9 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 para. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 3, Sch. 1

F25 Definition substituted by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 55(3), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

Marginal Citations

M1 1967 c. 4.

M2 1947 C.A.M. No. 2.

M3 1972 c. 68.

M4 1866 c. 39.

M5 1968 c. 18.

M6 1971 c. 23.

M7 1978 c. 23.

M8 1961 c. 55.

M9 1972 c. 70.

M10 1845 c. 18.

M11 1860 c. 106.

M12 1845 c. 19.

M13 1860 c. 106.

M14 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

M15 1975 c. 76.

M16 1963 c. 33.

M17 1972 c. 70.

M18 1841 c. 30.

M19 1854 c. 17.

M20 1967 c. 77.

M21 1982 c. 48 (39:1).

M22 S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3).

M23 1835 c. 62.

M24 1980 c. 43 (82).

M25 1972 c. 70.

F26 . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F26 Entry repealed (E.W.) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(6)(7), Sch.15 (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F27 Entry repealed (E.W) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108 (6)(7) (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)) Sch.15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

Construction of certain expressions relating to offences U.K.

In relation to England and Wales—

(a) “indictable offence” means an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable on indictment, whether it is exclusively so triable or triable either way;

(b) “summary offence” means an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable only summarily;

(c) “offence triable either way” means an offence [F28 , other than an offence triable on indictment only by virtue of Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1988] which, if committed by an adult, is triable either on indictment or summarily;

and the terms “indictable”, “summary” and “triable either way”, in their application to offences, are to be construed accordingly.

In the above definitions references to the way or ways in which an offence is triable are to be construed without regard to the effect, if any, of [F29 section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980] on the mode of trial in a particular case.

Textual Amendments

F28 Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170, Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 15 para. 59

F29 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 169(c)

[F30 Construction of certain references to relationships U.K.

Textual Amendments

F30 Entry added (E.W.) by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1)(2), Sch. 2 para. 73, Sch. 3 paras. 1, 6

In relation to England and Wales—

(a) references (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons;

(b) references to a person whose father and mother were or were not married to each other at the time of his birth; and

(c) references cognate with references falling within paragraph (b) above,

shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987. [The date of the coming into force of that section]]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Paragraph excluded by Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (c. 1, SIF 63:1), s. 831(4)

Valid from 01/04/2013

[F31 Construction of certain expressions relating to the police: Scotland U.K.

Textual Amendments

F31 Words in Sch. 1 inserted (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 15(3)

In relation to Scotland—

(a) references to a police force include references to the Police Service of Scotland;

(b) references to a chief officer of police include references to the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

(c) “police authority” means the Scottish Police Authority;

(d) the “police area” of the Police Service of Scotland is Scotland and references to a police force or police authority for any area include references to the Police Service of Scotland or, as the case may be, the Scottish Police Authority;

(e) references to a constable or chief constable of, or appointed for, any area are to be construed as references to a constable or, as the case may be, the chief constable of, or appointed for, the Police Service of Scotland.]