The Criminal Procedure Rules 2010

Representatives

2.5.—(1) Under these Rules, unless the context makes it clear that something different is meant, anything that a party may or must do may be done—

(a) by a legal representative on that party’s behalf;

(b) by a person with the corporation’s written authority, where that party is a corporation;

(c) with the help of a parent, guardian or other suitable supporting adult where that party is a defendant—

(i) who is under 18, or

(ii) whose understanding of what the case involves is limited.

(2) Anyone with a prosecutor’s authority to do so may, on that prosecutor’s behalf—

(a) serve on the magistrates’ court officer, or present to a magistrates’ court, an information under section 1 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980(1); or

(b) issue a written charge and requisition under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003(2).

[Note. See also section 122 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980(3). A party’s legal representative must be entitled to act as such under section 27 or 28 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990(4).

Section 33(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1925(5), section 46 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980(6) and Schedule 3 to that Act(7) provide for the representation of a corporation.

Part 7 contains rules about starting a prosecution.]

(1)

1980 c. 43; section 1 was amended by section 68 of, and paragraph 6 of Schedule 8 to, the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53), sections 43 and 109 of, and Schedule 10 to, the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39) and sections 31, 331 and 332 of, and Schedule 7 and paragraphs 7 and 8 of Schedule 36 to, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44). It is further amended by section 331 of, and paragraphs 7 and 8 of Schedule 36 to, the Criminal Justice Act (c. 44), with effect from a date to be appointed.

(2)

2003 c. 44; section 29 has been brought into force for certain purposes only (see S.I. 2007/1999, S.I. 2008/1424 and S.I. 2009/2879). It was amended by section 50 of, and paragraph 130 of Schedule 4 to, the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11) and section 59 of, and paragraph 196 of Schedule 4 to, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15).

(3)

1980 c. 43; section 122 was amended by section 125(3) of, and paragraph 25 of Schedule 18 to, the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41).

(4)

1990 c. 41; section 27 was amended by sections 42, 43 and 106 of, and paragraphs 4 and 6 of Schedule 6 and Part II of Schedule 15 to, the Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22) and article 9 of, and paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 2 to, S.I. 2003/1887; section 28 was amended by sections 40, 42, 43 and 106 of, and paragraphs 4 and 7 of Schedule 6 and Part II of Schedule 15 to, the Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22). Sections 27 and 28 are repealed by sections 208 and 210 of, and paragraphs 83 and 84 of Schedule 21 and Schedule 23 to, the Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), with effect from a date to be appointed.

(5)

1925 c. 86.

(6)

1980 c. 43.

(7)

1980 c. 43; Schedule 3 was amended, in relation to proceedings begun on or after 1 April 1997, by section 47 of, and paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25) and, generally, by sections 25(2) and 101(2) of, and Schedule 13 to, the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53). It is amended by section 41 of, and paragraph 51 of Schedule 3 to, and Part 4 of Schedule 37 to, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), with effect from a date to be appointed.