Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

4 General nature of committal proceedings. E+W

(1) The functions of examining justices may be discharged by a single justice.

(2) Examining justices shall sit in open court except where any enactment contains an express provision to the contrary and except where it appears to them as respects the whole or any part of committal proceedings that the ends of justice would not be served by their sitting in open court.

[F1 (3) Subject to subsection (4) below, evidence tendered before examining justices shall be tendered in the presence of the accused.]

(4) Examining justices may allow evidence to be [F2 tendered] before them in the absence of the accused if—

(a) they consider that by reason of his disorderly conduct before them it is not practicable for the evidence to be [F2 tendered] in his presence, or

(b) he cannot be present for reasons of health but is represented by [F3 a legal representative] and has consented to the evidence being [F2 tendered] in his absence.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 4(3) substituted (4.7.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 39 of the substituting Act) by 1996 c. 25, s. 47, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(2) (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1(2)

F2 Words in s. 4(4) inserted (4.7.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 39 of the inserting Act) by 1996 c. 25, s. 47, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(3) (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1(2)

F3 Words substituted by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37, 82), s. 125(3), Sch. 18 para. 25(3)(a)