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Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980
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Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, Introductory Text is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 25 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980
1980 CHAPTER 43
An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the jurisdiction of, and the practice and procedure before, magistrates’ courts and the functions of justices’ clerks, and to matters connected therewith, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
[1st August 1980]
Extent Information
E1Act extends to England and Wales but for exceptions to this see s. 155(2)-(6)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act extended by Insurance Companies Act 1981 (c. 31, SIF 67), s. 14(3)
Act extended (E.W.) by Housing and Building Control Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 47(3)
Act extended (E.W.) by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 129(b)
Act extended (N.I.) by Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c. 50, SIF 67), s. 14(3)
Act modified (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/450, art. 140
Act excluded (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 21(3) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(a)(i)
Act excluded (31.8.2000) by 1997 c. 25, s. 10E (as substituted (31.8.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 78(1) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/1920, art. 3(a))
Act applied (E.) (1.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/227, reg. 8(1)
C2Act extended by Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49, SIF 100:1), ss. 65A, 65B (as inserted by Housing and Building Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 57(1), Sch. 9)
C3Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), ss. 26(1), 30(6), 40(1)(2), 50(2)
C4Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40, SIF 50), s. 10A(3) (as inserted by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), s. 24)
C5Act excluded (E.W.): by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 39(2)(3); (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 15(1)(2), 74(1)-(4) (with Sch. 4 para. 27)
C6Act modified (E.W.) by Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53, SIF 107:1), ss. 59(2)(5), 92, 99(5)
C7Act applied by Food Safety Act 1990 (c. 16, SIF 53:1, 2), ss. 37(3), 54
Act applied (1.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 27(2), 76(2) (with ss. 67(3)(5)(8), 72(6), 74(3)(4))
Act applied by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 81(7), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)
C8Act: definition of "petty sessional court-house" applied (E.W.) (31.10.1991) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 92(1); S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(4), Sch. 3
C9By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.
C10Act applied (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 14, s. 100, Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (with s. 72(5)); S.I. 1997/305, art.2
Act applied (W.) (1.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2197, s. 8(1)
Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 20(7), 23(5); S.I. 2001/3736, art. 2(a)
Act applied (22.1.2002) by 1998 c. 34, ss. 25(3) (with s. 29); S.I. 2000/3144, art. 2
Act applied (W.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1387, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1227, reg. 21(6) (with regs. 3, 29)
Act applied (15.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/1998, art. 16(2) (with art. 33)
Act applied (W.) (19.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/2127, reg. 24(6)
Act applied (W.) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2295, reg. 6(3)
Act applied (W) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2296, reg. 6(3)
Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2350, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2351, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2000/3047, reg. 13A (as inserted by S.I. 2002/2315, reg. 2(3))
Act applied (E.W.) (21.10.2002) by 2001 c. 3, s. 6(3); S.I. 2002/1914, art. 2
Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.1.2003) by 2001 c. 3, s. 23(3); S.I. 2002/2957, arts. 2, 3
Act applied (E.) (30.6.2003) by S.I. 2003/1478, reg. 8(5)
Act applied (E.) (11.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1722, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (30.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1940, reg. 6(5)
Act. applied (E.) (31.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1956, reg. 6(5) (as substituted (7.2.2005) by S.I. 2005/208, reg. 2(5))
Act applied (W.) (5.9.2003) by S.I. 2003/2254, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (1.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/1214, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E.) (1.8.2004) by S.I. 2004/1740, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E) (20.12.2004) by S.I. 2004/3062, reg. 8(5)
Act applied (W.) (10.6.2005) by S.I. 2005/1540, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.W.) (8.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2469, reg. 25(3)
Act applied (30.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2745, reg. 38(2) (which S.I. was revoked (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 44(1))
Act applied (W.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3368, regs. 13(2), 18(2)
Act applied (E.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3280, regs. 13(2), 18(2)
Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/14, reg. 20
Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/15, reg. 31 (which S.I. was revoked (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, reg. 49)
Act applied (W.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/31, reg. 20(2)
Act applied (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 38(2)
Act applied (E.) (24.11.2006) by S.I. 2006/2841, regs. 19(6), 21(8)
Act applied (W.) (14.2.2007) by S.I. 2007/376, reg. 21(8) (subject to reg. 22)
Act applied (12.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1711, Sch. 5 para. 4(2)
Act applied (1.10.2007) by S.I. 2007/2539, regs. 38(2), 40(7)
Act applied (3.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3106, reg. 10(4)
Act applied (E.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, regs. 12(2), 31(2)
Act applied (W.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3294, regs. 12(2), 31(2)
Act applied (prosp.) by 2006 c. 50, ss. 62(4), 79
C11Act amended (W.) (29.2.2003) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/284), art. 127 (with art. 82(1))
Act amended (1.2.2007) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/236), arts. 1(1), 128 (with arts. 83(1), 137(1))
C12Act restricted (E.W.) (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 26(1), 110; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3
Act restricted (E.W.) (15.12.2006) by S.I. 2006/3407, art. 7
C13Act modified (E.W.) (24.3.2003) by 2002 c. 29, ss. 67(6)(b), 458(1)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.
Act modified (E.W.) (4.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/384, rule 26.4(2)-(7)
C14Act applied (W.) (25.9.2003) by The Food (Hot Chilli and Hot Chilli Products) (Emergency Control) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2455), reg. 6(5)
Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (27.3.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Pilot Scheme) and Discharge of Fines by Unpaid Work (Pilot Schemes) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/502), arts. 1(1)(b)(2), 7
C15Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/41), regs. 1(2), 25(1)
C16Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2002/528), reg. 16(2) (as substituted by S.I. 2008/91, reg. 2, Sch. para. 5)
C17Act applied (1.10.2008) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7)
C18Act applied (16.1.2009) by The Spirit Drinks Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3206), regs. 12(16)(a), 14(2)(a)
C19Act applied (E.) (19.1.2009) by The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3252), reg. 5(5)
C20Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 1 para. 9ZA(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 107 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
C21Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 6 para. 6A(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 108(6) (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
C22Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), Sch. 8 para. 25A(5) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para 109 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
C23Act applied (E.) (14.9.2009) by The Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2163), reg. 21(16)
C24Act applied (1.10.2009) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)
C25Act applied (23.11.2009) by The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2890), reg. 21(16)
C26Act applied (E.) (1.1.2010) by The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3101), reg. 19(2) (with reg. 2)
C27Act applied (E.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3255), regs. 12(2), 33(2)
C28Act applied (W.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3376), reg. 33(2)
C29Act applied (25.1.2010) by The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3391), art. 7(4) (with art. 2(1))
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