Part I Trial

Introductory

C16 Time within which summary proceedings for certain offences must be commenced.

1

Subject to subsection (2) below, 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.

2

No such proceedings shall be brought by virtue of this section more than three years after the commission of the offence.

3

For the purposes of this section, a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which evidence sufficient in his opinion to warrant the proceedings came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact.

4

A certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.

5

In relation to proceedings in Scotland, subsection (3) of section 331 of the M1Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (date of commencement of proceedings) shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that.

6

Schedule 1 to this Act shows the offences to which this section applies.