Time limit for prosecution of offencesU.K.
70.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), in England and Wales an information relating to an offence under regulation 61 that is triable by a magistrates' court may be so tried if it is laid within 12 months after the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify the proceedings comes to the knowledge of the prosecutor.
(2) Subject to paragraph (4), in Scotland—
(a)summary proceedings for an offence under regulation 61 (offences) may be commenced before the end of 12 months after the date on which evidence sufficient in the Lord Advocate's opinion to justify the proceedings came to the Lord Advocate's knowledge; and
(b)section 136(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 M1 (time limit for certain offences) applies for the purpose of this paragraph as it applies for the purpose of that section.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), in Northern Ireland summary proceedings for an offence under regulation 61 may be instituted within 12 months after the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify proceedings comes to the knowledge of the prosecutor.
(4) No proceedings may be brought more than 3 years after the commission of the offence.
(5) For the purposes of this regulation a certificate of the prosecutor (or in Scotland, the Lord Advocate) as to the date on which the evidence referred to paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) came to their notice, is conclusive evidence.