The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019

Proceedings for offences: venue and time limits

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

9.—(1) For the purposes of conferring jurisdiction in any proceedings for the prosecution of an offence under this Part, any such offence is deemed to have been committed in any place where the offender is found or to which the offender is first brought after the commission of the offence.

(2) Summary proceedings for such an offence may be commenced within the period of six months from the date on which the prosecutor first knows of evidence sufficient, in the prosecutor’s opinion, to justify proceedings.

(3) But, no such proceedings may be commenced more than two years after the commission of the offence.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a)a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which the prosecutor first knew of evidence 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.