(1)Without prejudice to the provisions of the [1980 c. 43.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 or the [S.I. 1981/165 (N.I. 26).] Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 as to the jurisdiction of a magistrates' court, in England and Wales or Northern Ireland all summary offences under this Act may be prosecuted—
(a)where the prosecution is against a friendly society or any officer of a friendly society, before a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area in which the registered office of the society is situated; and
(b)where the prosecution is against a person other than a friendly society or an officer of a friendly society, before a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area in which the person is resident at the time of the institution of the prosecution.
(2)In the application of subsection (1) above to Northern Ireland—
(a)for the reference in paragraph (a) to a magistrates' court acting for a petty sessions area there shall be substituted a reference to a magistrates' court acting for a county court division; and
(b)paragraph (b) shall be omitted.