35 Documentary evidence as to specimens.E+W+S
(1)In proceedings for any offence under section 27 above, evidence of the proportion of alcohol in a specimen of breath may be given by the production of a document (or documents) purporting to be—
(a)a statement automatically produced by the device by which the proportion of alcohol in the specimen was measured, and
(b)a certificate signed by a constable (which may but need not be contained in the same document as the statement) that the specimen was provided by the accused at the date and time shown in the statement.
(2)In such proceedings, evidence of the proportion of alcohol or a drug in a specimen of blood or urine may be given by the production of a document purporting to be a certificate signed by an authorised analyst identifying the specimen and stating the proportion of alcohol or drug found in it.
(3)In such proceedings, evidence that a specimen of blood was taken from the accused with his consent by a medical practitioner [F1or a registered health care professional] may be given by the production of a document purporting to be a certificate to that effect signed by the practitioner [F1or a registered health care professional] .
(4)A document such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be admissible in evidence on behalf of the prosecution in pursuance of this section only if a copy of it either was handed to the accused when the document was produced or was served on him not later than seven days before the hearing.
(5)A document such as is mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) above shall be admissible in evidence on behalf of the prosecution in pursuance of this section only if a copy of it was served on the accused not later than seven days before the hearing.
(6)A document purporting to be a certificate (or so much of a document as purports to be a certificate) shall not be admissible in evidence on behalf of the prosecution in pursuance of this section if the accused, not later than three days before the hearing or within such further time as the court may in special circumstances allow, has served notice on the prosecutor requiring the attendance at the hearing of the person by whom the document purports to be signed.
(7)In this section “served” means [F2, in relation to proceedings in England and Wales, served in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rules or, otherwise,] served personally or sent by registered post or recorded delivery service.
(8)In subsection (2) above “authorised analyst” means—
(a)any person possessing the qualifications prescribed by regulations made under section 76 of the M1Food Act 1984 or section 27 of the M2Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956 as qualifying persons for appointment as public analysts under those Acts, or
(b)any other person authorised by the Secretary of State to make analyses for the purposes of this section.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 35(3) inserted (1.4.2003) by virtue of Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), ss. 58(9), 108(2); S.I. 2003/808, art. 2(e)
F2Words in s. 35(7) inserted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(3), Sch. 1 para. 12
Commencement Information
I1Pt. II Ch. 1 (ss. 26-40) wholly in force at 7. 12. 1992 see s. 70 and S.I. 1992/2043, art. 2(a).
Marginal Citations