Legal proceedingsN.I.
57 .F1—(1) Any person authorised by the DepartmentF2. . . in that behalf may conduct any proceedings under the benefit Acts before a magistrates' court although not a barrister or solicitor.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in any statutory provision—
(a)proceedings for an offence under the benefit ActsF2. . . may be begun at any time within the period of three months from the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Department to justify a prosecution for the offence, comes to its knowledge or within a period of twelve months from the commission of the offence, whichever period last expires;F2. . .
Sub.‐para. (b) rep. by 1992 c. 9
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—
(a )F3a certificate purporting to be signed by the Head or a secretary, under secretary or assistant secretary of the DepartmentF2. . . as to the date on which such evidence as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of that paragraph came to its knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that date;F2. . .
Sub‐para. (b) rep. by 1992 c. 9
Para. (3A) rep. by 1992 c. 9
Paras. (4), (5) rep. by 1989 NI 12