Search Legislation

Prosecution of Offences Act 1985

Changes to legislation:

Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 12 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

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. Introductory Text

  2. Part I The Crown Prosecution Service

    1. Constitution and functions of Service

      1. 1. The Crown Prosecution Service.

      2. 2. The Director of Public Prosecutions

      3. 3. Functions of the Director.

      4. 4. Crown Prosecutors.

      5. 5. Conduct of prosecutions on behalf of the Service.

      6. 6. Prosecutions instituted and conducted otherwise than by the Service.

      7. 7. Delivery of recognizances etc. to Director.

      8. 7A. Powers of non-legal staff.

    2. Reports

      1. 8. Reports to Director by chief officers of police.

      2. 9. Reports by Director to Attorney General.

    3. Guidelines

      1. 10. Guidelines for Crown Prosecutors.

    4. Transfer of staff, etc.

      1. 11. Transfer of staff.

      2. 12. Staff commission.

      3. 13. Premises formerly used in connection with Director’s new functions.

    5. Miscellaneous

      1. 14. Control of certain fees and expenses etc. paid by the Service.

      2. 15. Interpretation of Part I.

  3. Part II Costs in Criminal Cases

    1. Award of costs out of central funds

      1. 16. Defence costs.

      2. 17. Prosecution costs.

    2. Award of costs against accused

      1. 18. Award of costs against accused.

    3. Other awards

      1. 19. Provision for orders as to costs in other circumstances.

      2. 19A. Costs against legal representatives etc.

      3. 19B.Provision for award of costs against third parties

    4. Supplemental

      1. 20. Regulations.

      2. 21. Interpretation, etc.

  4. Part III Miscellaneous

    1. 22. Power of Secretary of State to set time limits in relation to preliminary stages of criminal proceedings.

    2. 22A. Additional time limits for persons under 18.

    3. 22B. Re-institution of proceedings stayed under section 22(4) or 22A(5).

    4. 23. Discontinuance of proceedings in magistrates’ courts.

    5. 23A. Discontinuance of proceedings after accused has been sent for trial.

    6. 24. Restriction of vexatious prosecutions.

    7. 25. Consents to prosecutions etc.

    8. 26. Consents to be admissible in evidence.

    9. 27. Care proceedings involving allegation of offences.

    10. 28. Repeal of s. 9 of Perjury Act 1911.

  5. Part IV Supplemental

    1. 29. Regulations.

    2. 30. Expenses.

    3. 31. Short title, commencement and extent etc.

  6. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Minor and Consequential Amendments

      1. Part I Amendments Relating to Part I

        1. The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)

          1. 1.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          2. 2.In section 19 of that Act (in cases triable either...

          3. 3.In section 25 of that Act (power to change from...

        2. The Contempt of Court Act 1981 (c. 49)

          1. 4.In paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the Contempt of...

          2. 5.After paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 to that Act there...

      2. Part II Amendments Relating to Part II

        1. The Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80)

          1. 6.In section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (which...

        2. The Administration of Justice Act 1970 (c. 31)

          1. 7.(1) Schedule 9 to the Administration of Justice Act 1970...

        3. The Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71)

          1. 8.In section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 (reference...

        4. The Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54)

          1. 9.In section 52(3) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (ambit...

          2. 10.In section 52(4) of that Act, for the words “Costs...

      3. Part III Miscellaneous

        1. The Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54)

          1. 11.In section 77 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (Crown...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      Repeals

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

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.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

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.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources