10 Prosecutor’s failure to observe time limits.E+W+N.I.
(1)This section applies if the prosecutor—
(a)purports to act under section 3 after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 3, or
(b)purports to act under section 7 after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 7.
(2)Subject to subsection (3), the failure to act during the period concerned does not on its own constitute grounds for staying the proceedings for abuse of process.
(3)Subsection (2) does not prevent the failure constituting such grounds if it involves such delay by the prosecutor that the accused is denied a fair trial.