- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (08/01/2001)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 29/01/2004
Point in time view as at 08/01/2001. This version of this provision has been superseded.
You are viewing this legislation item as it stood at a particular point in time. A later version of this or provision, including subsequent changes and effects, supersedes this version.
Note the term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section.
Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, Section 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 11 September 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.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
(1)Upon an information being laid before a justice of the peace for an area to which this section applies that any person has, or is suspected of having, committed an offence, the justice may, in any of the events mentioned in subsection (2) below, but subject to subsections (3) to (5) below,—
(a)issue a summons directed to that person requiring him to appear before a magistrates’ court for the area to answer to the information, or
(b)issue a warrant to arrest that person and bring him before a magistrates’ court for the area or such magistrates’ court as is provided in subsection (5) below.
(2)A justice of the peace for an area to which this section applies may issue a summons or warrant under this section—
(a)if the offence was committed or is suspected to have been committed within the area, or
(b)if it appears to the justice necessary or expedient, with a view to the better administration of justice, that the person charged should be tried jointly with, or in the same place as, some other person who is charged with an offence, and who is in custody, or is being or is to be proceeded against, within the area, or
(c)if the person charged resides or is, or is believed to reside or be, within the area, or
(d)if under any enactment a magistrates’ court for the area has jurisdiction to try the offence, or
(e)if the offence was committed outside England and Wales and, where it is an offence exclusively punishable on summary conviction, if a magistrates court for the area would have jurisdiction to try the offence if the offender were before it.
(3)No warrant shall be issued under this section unless the information is in writing and substantiated on oath.
(4)No warrant shall be issued under this section for the arrest of any person who has attained [F1 the age of 18 years] unless—
(a)the offence to which the warrant relates is an indictable offence or is punishable with imprisonment, or
(b)the person’s address is not sufficiently established for a summons to be served on him.
(5)Where the offence charged is not an indictable offence—
(a)no summons shall be issued by virtue only of paragraph (c) of subsection (2) above, and
(b)any warrant issued by virtue only of that paragraph shall require the person charged to be brought before a magistrates’ court having jurisdiction to try the offence.
(6)Where the offence charged is an indictable offence, a warrant under this section may be issued at any time notwithstanding that a summons has previously been issued.
(7)A justice of the peace may issue a summons or warrant under this section upon an information being laid before him notwithstanding any enactment requiring the information to be laid before two or more justices.
(8)The areas to which this section applies are [F2commission areas].
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1(4) substituted (1.10.1992) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), ss. 68(d), 101(1), Sch. 8 para. 6(1)(a), Sch. 12 para. 22(1); S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
F2Words in s. 1(8) substituted (1.4.1996) by virtue of 1994 c. 19, s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22, 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 3 Sch. 1; S.I. 1996/674, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. Pt. I para. 2(1); S.I. 1996/675, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. Pt. I para. 2(1)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 1(2) modified by Road Traffic Act 1974 (c. 50, SIF 107:1), s. 5(8) (as inserted by Transport Act 1982 (c. 49, SIF 107:1), s. 74(1), Sch. 5 para. 18(8)
C2S. 1(2) modified by Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27, SIF 107:1), ss. 111(8), 143, 144, 145(5), Sch. 12 para. 10(3)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: