Part III Criminal justice system
Functions of courts etc.
51BF1Notices in serious or complex fraud cases
1
A notice may be given by a designated authority under this section in respect of an indictable offence if the authority is of the opinion that the evidence of the offence charged—
a
is sufficient for the person charged to be put on trial for the offence; and
b
reveals a case of fraud of such seriousness or complexity that it is appropriate that the management of the case should without delay be taken over by the Crown Court.
2
That opinion must be certified by the designated authority in the notice.
3
The notice must also specify the proposed place of trial, and in selecting that place the designated authority must have regard to the same matters as are specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 51D(4) below.
4
A notice under this section must be given to the magistrates' court at which the person charged appears or before which he is brought.
5
Such a notice must be given to the magistrates' court before any summary trial begins.
6
The effect of such a notice is that the functions of the magistrates' court cease in relation to the case, except—
a
for the purposes of section 51D below;
b
as provided by F2regulations under section 19 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; and
c
as provided by section 52 below.
7
The functions of a designated authority under this section may be exercised by an officer of the authority acting on behalf of the authority.
8
A decision to give a notice under this section shall not be subject to appeal or liable to be questioned in any court (whether a magistrates' court or not).
9
In this section “designated authority” means—
a
the Director of Public Prosecutions;
b
the Director of the Serious Fraud Office;
F3c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e
the Secretary of State.