- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (08/03/2018)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 31/12/2020
Point in time view as at 08/03/2018. This version of this provision has been superseded.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.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 73 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)Where in any proceedings the fact that a person has in the United Kingdom [F1or any other member State] been convicted or acquitted of an offence otherwise than by a Service court is admissible in evidence, it may be proved by producing a certificate of conviction or, as the case may be, of acquittal relating to that offence, and proving that the person named in the certificate as having been convicted or acquitted of the offence is the person whose conviction or acquittal of the offence is to be proved.
(2)For the purposes of this section a certificate of conviction or of acquittal—
(a)shall, as regards a conviction or acquittal on indictment, consist of a certificate, signed by the [F2proper officer] of the court where the conviction or acquittal took place, giving the substance and effect (omitting the formal parts) of the indictment and of the conviction or acquittal; and
(b)shall, as regards a conviction or acquittal on a summary trial, consist of a copy of the conviction or of the dismissal of the information, signed by the [F2proper officer] of the court where the conviction or acquittal took place or by the [F2proper officer] of the court, if any, to which a memorandum of the conviction or acquittal was sent[F3; and
(c)shall, as regards a conviction or acquittal by a court in a member State (other than the United Kingdom), consist of a certificate, signed by the proper officer of the court where the conviction or acquittal took place, giving details of the offence, of the conviction or acquittal, and of any sentence;]
and a document purporting to be a duly signed certificate of conviction or acquittal under this section shall be taken to be such a certificate unless the contrary is proved.
[F4(3)In subsection (2) above “proper officer” means—
(a)in relation to a magistrates’ court in England and Wales, the [F5designated officer] for the court; and
(b)in relation to any other court [F6in the United Kingdom], the clerk of the court, his deputy or any other person having custody of the court record [F7, and
(c)in relation to any court in another member State (“the EU court”), a person who would be the proper officer of the EU court if that court were in the United Kingdom.]]
(4)The method of proving a conviction or acquittal authorised by this section shall be in addition to and not to the exclusion of any other authorised manner of proving a conviction or acquittal.
Extent Information
E1S. 73 extends to England and Wales only with exceptions as regards courts martial, see s. 120(1)(6)-(8)
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 73(1) inserted (15.8.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 144, 182, Sch. 17 para. 13(2) (with s. 180, Sch. 22); S.I. 2010/1858, art. 3(a)(d)(vii)
F2Words in s. 73(2)(a)(b) substituted (1.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 90, Sch. 13 para. 128(1)(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 2
F3S. 73(2)(c) and preceding word inserted (15.8.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 144, 182, Sch. 17 para. 13(3) (with s. 180, Sch. 22); S.I. 2010/1858, art. 3(a)(d)(vii)
F4S. 73(3) substituted (1.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 90, Sch. 13 para. 128(1)(3) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 2
F5Words in s. 73(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 285; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)
F6Words in s. 73(3)(b) inserted (15.8.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 144, 182, Sch. 17 para. 13(4)(a) (with s. 180, Sch. 22); S.I. 2010/1858, art. 3(a)(d)(vii)
F7S. 73(3)(c) and preceding word added (15.8.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 144, 182, Sch. 17 para. 13(4)(b) (with s. 180, Sch. 22); S.I. 2010/1858, art. 3(a)(d)(vii)
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?
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: