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Version Superseded: 26/03/2003
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 20 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 November 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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F1(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Summary proceedings for [F2an offence under this Part] may be brought within a period of six months from the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to warrant the proceedings came to his knowledge; but no such proceedings shall be brought by virtue of this section more than two years after the commission of the offence.
(3)For the purpose of this section a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact; and a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only
Textual Amendments
F1S. 20(1) repealed (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 102, 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 9(1)(a), Sch. 16 Pt. IV (with Sch. 12 para. 9(2))
F2Words in s. 20(2) substituted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 9(1)(b)(2)
(1)This section applies to—
(a)any offence under section 1(1) or 3(1) involving the killing or taking of any wild bird or the taking of an egg of such a bird;
(b)any offence under section 9(1) involving the killing or taking of any wild animal; and
(c)any offence under section 13(1) involving the picking, uprooting or destruction of any wild plant.
(2)Summary proceedings for an offence to which this section applies may be brought within a period of six months from the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to warrant the proceedings came to his knowledge; but no such proceedings shall be brought by virtue of this section more than two years after the commission of the offence.
(3)For the purpose of this section a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact; and a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
Extent Information
E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only
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