Time limit for bringing prosecutions
13.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under these Regulations may be commenced within the period of twelve months from the date on which the prosecutor first knows of evidence sufficient, in the prosecutor’s opinion, to justify proceedings.
(2) But no such proceedings may be commenced more than 18 months after the commission of the offence.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation—
(a)a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which the prosecutor first knew of evidence sufficient to justify the proceedings is conclusive evidence of that fact; and
(b)a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed is deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
(4) In relation to proceedings in Scotland, section 136(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995(1) (date of commencement of proceedings) applies for the purposes of this regulation as it applies for the purposes of that section.