Search Legislation

Prosecution of Offences Act 1985

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Status:

Point in time view as at 22/08/1996. This version of this provision has been superseded. Help about Status

Close

Status

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.

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, Section 15. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

15 Interpretation of Part I.E+W

(1)In this Part—

  • binding over proceedings ” means any proceedings instituted (whether by way of complaint under section 115 of the M1Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 or otherwise) with a view to obtaining from a magistrates’ court an order requiring a person to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour;

  • Director ” means the Director of Public Prosecutions;

  • [F1legal representative ” means an authorised advocate or authorised litigator, as defined by section 119(1) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.]

  • police force ” has the same meaning as in section 3 of this Act;

  • prosecution functions ” means functions which by virtue of this Part become functions of the Director;

  • public authority ” has the same meaning as in section 17 of this Act;

  • Service ” means the Crown Prosecution Service; [F2 . . .

  • F2 . . ..]

(2)For the purposes of this Part, proceedings in relation to an offence are instituted—

(a)where a justice of the peace issues a summons under section 1 of the M2Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, when the information for the offence is laid before him;

(b)where a justice of the peace issues a warrant for the arrest of any person under that section, when the information for the offence is laid before him;

(c)where a person is charged with the offence after being taken into custody without a warrant, when he is informed on the particulars of the charge;

(d)where a bill of indictment is preferred under section 2 of the M3Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 in a case falling within paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of that section, when the bill of indictment is preferred before the court;

and where the application of this subsection would result in there being more than one time for the institution of the proceedings, they shall be taken to have been instituted at the earliest of those times.

(3)For the purposes of this Part, references to the conduct of any proceedings include references to the proceedings being discontinued and to the taking of any steps (including the bringing of appeals and making of representations in respect of applications for bail) which may be taken in relation to them.

(4)For the purposes of sections 3(2)(b), 5, 6 and 7(1) of this Act, binding over proceedings shall be taken to be criminal proceedings.

(5)For the purposes of section 5 of this Act, proceedings begun by summons issued under section 3 of the M4Obscene Publications Act 1959 (forfeiture of obscene articles) shall be taken to be criminal proceedings.

(6)The functions which become functions of the Director by virtue of this Part shall [F3not be treated as transferred functions] for the purposes of paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 3 to the M5Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (meaning of “last employing authority ”).

(7)The person who, immediately before the commencement of section 2 of this Act, holds the office of Director shall be treated on the commencement of that section as holding that office in pursuance of an appointment made by the Attorney General.

Textual Amendments

F2Word and definition in s. 15(1) repealed (1. 4. 1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(7), Sch. 20; S.I. 1991/608, art. 2, Sch.

F3Words in s. 15(6) substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 240, 243, Sch. 1 para. 25(3)

Marginal Citations

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

See additional information alongside the content

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.

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