Criminal Justice Act 1982

Unsworn statements E+W

72 Abolition of right of accused to make unsworn statement. E+W

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, in any criminal proceedings the accused shall not be entitled to make a statement without being sworn, and accordingly, if he gives evidence, he shall do so [F1 (subject to sections 55 and 56 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999)] on oath and be liable to cross-examination; but this section shall not affect the right of the accused, if not represented by counsel or a solicitor, to address the court or jury otherwise than on oath on any matter on which, if he were so represented, counsel or a solicitor could address the court or jury on his behalf.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) above shall prevent the accused making a statement without being sworn—

(a) if it is one which he is required by law to make personally; or

(b) if he makes it by way of mitigation before the court passes sentence upon him.

(3) Nothing in this section applies—

(a) to a trial; or

(b) to proceedings before a magistrates’ court acting as examining justices,

which began before the commencement of this section.

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Amendments (Textual)

F1 Words in s. 72(1) inserted (24.7.2002) by 1999 c. 23, ss. 67, 68(3) Sch. 4 para. 10 (with Sch. 7 para. 5(2)); S.I. 2002/1739, art. 2(f)