Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

84 Power to require statement of means. E+W

(1) A magistrates’ court may, either before or on inquiring into a person’s means under section 82 above, and a justice of the peace acting [F1 in the same local justice] area as that court may before any such inquiry, order him to furnish to the court within a period specified in the order such a statement of his means as the court may require.

(2) A person who fails to comply with an order under subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F2 level 3 on the standard scale].

(3) If a person in furnishing any statement in pursuance of an order under subsection (1) above makes a statement which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly furnishes a statement which is false in a material particular, or knowingly fails to disclose any material fact, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 months or a fine not exceeding [F2 level 3 on the standard scale]or both.

(4) Proceedings in respect of an offence under subsection (3) above may, notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) below, be commenced at any time within 2 years from the date of the commission of the offence or within 6 months from its first discovery by the prosecutor, whichever period expires the earlier.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 84(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 221; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F2 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 84(2)-(4) applied (21.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 97(2), 110, Sch. 6 para. 2(4); S.I. 2004/2195, art. 2

C2 S. 84(2)-(4) applied (21.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 97(2), 110, Sch. 6 para. 2(4); S.I. 2004/2195, art. 2

C3 S. 84(2)-(4) applied (21.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 97(2), 110, Sch. 6 para. 2(4); S.I. 2004/2195, art. 2