xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"

Interpretation Act 1978

1978 CHAPTER 30

An Act to consolidate the Interpretation Act 1889 and certain other enactments relating to the construction and operation of Acts of Parliament and other instruments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission.

[20th July 1978]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2Act: definition of "subordinate legislation" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 219(1), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 paras. 1, 2, Sch. 14 para. 6)

Act: definition of "subordinate legislation" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 221(1), 225(1)

C6Act applied (26.11.2008) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 73(1), 149(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I1Act wholly in force at 1.1.1979, see s. 26

General provisions as to enactment and operationU.K.

1 Words of enactment.U.K.

Every section of an Act takes effect as a substantive enactment without introductory words.

2 Amendment or repeal in same Session.U.K.

Any Act may be amended or repealed in the Session of Parliament in which it is passed.

3 Judicial notice.U.K.

Every Act is a public Act to be judicially noticed as such, unless the contrary is expressly provided by the Act.

4 Time of commencement.U.K.

An Act or provision of an Act comes into force—

(a)where provision is made for it to come into force on a particular day, at the beginning of that day;

(b)where no provision is made for its coming into force, at the beginning of the day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.

Interpretation and constructionU.K.

5 Definitions.U.K.

In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears, words and expressions listed in Schedule 1 to this Act are to be construed according to that Schedule.

6 Gender and number.U.K.

In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears,—

(a)words importing the masculine gender include the feminine;

(b)words importing the feminine gender include the masculine;

(c)words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.

7 References to service by post.U.K.

Where an Act authorises or requires any document to be served by post (whether the expression “serve” or the expression “give” or “send” or any other expression is used) then, unless the contrary intention appears, the service is deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the document and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10S. 7 modified (E.W.) (1.7.1995) by 1994 c. 36, s. 17(2)(3) (with s. 20); S.I. 1995/1317, art. 2

8 References to distance.U.K.

In the measurement of any distance for the purposes of an Act, that distance shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.

9 References to time of day.U.K.

Subject to section 3 of the M1Summer Time Act 1972 (construction of references to points of time during the period of summer time), whenever an expression of time occurs in an Act, the time referred to shall, unless it is otherwise specifically stated, be held to be Greenwich mean time.

Marginal Citations

10 References to the Sovereign.U.K.

In any Act a reference to the Sovereign reigning at the time of the passing of the Act is to be construed, unless the contrary intention appears, as a reference to the Sovereign for the time being.

11 Construction of subordinate legislation.U.K.

Where an Act confers power to make subordinate legislation, expressions used in that legislation have, unless the contrary intention appears, the meaning which they bear in the Act.

Statutory powers and dutiesU.K.

12 Continuity of powers and duties.U.K.

(1)Where an Act confers a power or imposes a duty it is implied, unless the contrary intention appears, that the power may be exercised, or the duty is to be performed, from time to time as occasion requires.

(2)Where an Act confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of an office as such, it is implied, unless the contrary intention appears, that the power may be exercised, or the duty is to be performed, by the holder for the time being of the office.

13 Anticipatory exercise of powers.U.K.

Where an Act which (or any provision of which) does not come into force immediately on its passing confers power to make subordinate legislation, or to make appointments, give notices, prescribe forms or do any other thing for the purposes of the Act, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised, and any instrument made thereunder may be made so as to come into force, at any time after the passing of the Act so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose—

(a)of bringing the Act or any provision of the Act into force; or

(b)of giving full effect to the Act or any such provision at or after the time when it comes into force.

14 Implied power to amend.U.K.

Where an Act confers power to make—

(a)rules, regulations or byelaws; or

(b)Orders in Council, orders or other subordinate legislation to be made by statutory instrument,

it implies, unless the contrary intention appears, a power, exercisable in the same manner and subject to the same conditions or limitations, to revoke, amend or re-enact any instrument made under the power.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19S. 14 extended (E.W.) (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 170(5); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3

C20S. 14 excluded (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 25(9), (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2

S. 14 excluded (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 46, s. 115, Sch. 7 para. 5 (with s. 126(3)-(11))

S. 14 excluded (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 26, s. 122(11)

[F114APower to include sunset and review provisions in subordinate legislationU.K.

(1)This section applies where an Act confers a power or a duty on a person to make subordinate legislation except to the extent that—

(a)the power or duty is exercisable by the Scottish Ministers, or

(b)the power or duty is exercisable by any other person within devolved competence (within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998).

(2)The subordinate legislation may include—

(a)provision requiring the person to review the effectiveness of the legislation within a specified period or at the end of a specified period;

(b)provision for the legislation to cease to have effect at the end of a specified day or a specified period;

(c)if the power or duty is being exercised to amend other subordinate legislation, provision of the kind mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) in relation to that other legislation.

(3)The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) includes provision requiring the person to consider whether the objectives which it was the purpose of the legislation to achieve remain appropriate and, if so, whether they could be achieved in another way.

(4)Subordinate legislation including provision of a kind mentioned in subsection (2) may make such provision generally or only in relation to specified provisions of the legislation or specified cases or circumstances.

(5)Subordinate legislation including provision of a kind mentioned in subsection (2) may make transitional, consequential, incidental or supplementary provision or savings in connection with such provision.

(6)In this section, “specified” means specified in the subordinate legislation.]

Repealing enactmentsU.K.

15 Repeal of repeal.U.K.

Where an Act repeals a repealing enactment, the repeal does not revive any enactment previously repealed unless words are added reviving it.

16 General savings.U.K.

(1)Without prejudice to section 15, where an Act repeals an enactment, the repeal does not, unless the contrary intention appears,—

(a)revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect;

(b)affect the previous operation of the enactment repealed or anything duly done or suffered under that enactment;

(c)affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under that enactment;

(d)affect any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against that enactment;

(e)affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment;

and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if the repealing Act had not been passed.

(2)This section applies to the expiry of a temporary enactment as if it were repealed by an Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23S. 16(1) applied (E.) (temp. from 27.11.2001 until 27.7.2002) by S.I. 2001/3576, art. 3(2)

S. 16(1) applied (27.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3577, art. 3(2)

S. 16(1) applied (27.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3578, art. 3(2)

C25S. 16(1) applied (with modifications) by The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1678), s. 80(3) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with s. 1(2) of the amending S.I.)

C27S. 16(1) applied by The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2846), Sch. ss. 54(3), 55(5) (the application coming into force in accordance with arts. 1(3), 2(1) of the applying S.I.)

C28S. 16(1) applied (with modifications) by The St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1751), arts. 75(3), 152(3), 217(3) (the amendments coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.)

C29S. 16(1) applied by The Pitcairn Constitution Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/244), arts. 2, 4, Sch. 2 section 41(3) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with arts. 1(2), 2 of the amending S.I.)

C31S. 16(1) modified (17.12.2010) by Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (c. 38), ss. 46(4), 55(1) (with s. 44)

17 Repeal and re-enactment.U.K.

(1)Where an Act repeals a previous enactment and substitutes provisions for the enactment repealed, the repealed enactment remains in force until the substituted provisions come into force.

(2)Where an Act repeals and re-enacts, with or without modification, a previous enactment then, unless the contrary intention appears,—

(a)any reference in any other enactment to the enactment so repealed shall be construed as a reference to the provision re-enacted;

(b)in so far as any subordinate legislation made or other thing done under the enactment so repealed, or having effect as if so made or done, could have been made or done under the provision re-enacted, it shall have effect as if made or done under that provision.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C32S. 17 saved (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 140, 223(2)

C34S. 17 excluded (S.) (20.4.2010) by The Beet Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/67), regs. 1(1), 25(2) (which amending S.S.I. was revoked by S.S.I. 2010/148, reg. 25(1)) and s. 17 excluded (S.) (20.4.2010) by The Beet Seed (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/148), regs. 1(2), 25(3)

C35S. 17(2) excluded (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 8 Pt. I para. 1(6)(7)

S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.S.) (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 17, ss. 44, 46, Sch. 2 Pt. I paras. 1-5 (with s. 38)

S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.S.) (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 241, 243, Sch. 2 Pt. I paras. 1-5 (with ss. 191-195, 202)

S. 17(2) excluded (21.7.1997) by 1997 c. 22, s. 27, Sch. 2 paras. 1-5; S.I. 1997/1672, art. 2

S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 73(1), 74(1), Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 1(6)

S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(2), 55(2), Sch. 4 para. 6

S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165(3), 168(1), Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1(5)

S. 17(2) excluded (22.3.2001 with effect in accordance with s. 579(1) of the excluding Act) by 2001 c. 2, s. 579, Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 6

S. 17(2) excluded (24.10.2002) by 2002 c. 24, ss. 14, 18(2), Sch. 2 para. 5

S. 17(2) excluded (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the excluding Act) by The Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 7 para. 6 (subject to Sch. 7)

S. 17(2) excluded (6.4.2005 with effect in accordance with s. 883(1)(a)(b) of the excluding Act) by The Income Tax (Trading and other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883, Sch. 2 para. 6(1)

S. 17(2) excluded (8.2.2007) by The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c. 36), ss. 124, 126, Sch. 8 para. 5

S. 17(2) excluded (1.3.2007) by The National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 4, 8(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(8) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

S. 17(2) excluded (1.4.2007) by The Parliamentary Costs Act 2006 (c. 37), ss. 17(7), 19, Sch. 2 para. 6

C36S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), ss. 354, 355, Sch. 8 para. 5 (with s. 20(2))

C39S. 17(2)(b) excluded (24.7.2002) by 2002 c. 23, s. 20(4)

MiscellaneousU.K.

18 Duplicated offences.U.K.

Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more Acts, or both under an Act and at common law, the offender shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of those Acts or at common law, but shall not be liable to be punished more than once for the same offence.

19 Citation of other Acts.U.K.

(1)Where an Act cites another Act by year, statute, session or chapter, or a section or other portion of another Act by number or letter, the reference shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be read as referring—

(a)in the case of Acts included in any revised edition of the statutes printed by authority, to that edition;

(b)in the case of Acts not so included but included in the edition prepared under the direction of the Record Commission, to that edition;

(c)in any other case, to the Acts printed by the Queen’s Printer, or under the superintendence or authority of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

(2)An Act may continue to be cited by the short title authorised by any enactment notwithstanding the repeal of that enactment.

20 References to other enactments.U.K.

(1)Where an Act describes or cites a portion of an enactment by referring to words, sections or other parts from or to which (or from and to which) the portion extends, the portion described or cited includes the words, sections or other parts referred to unless the contrary intention appears.

(2)Where an Act refers to an enactment, the reference, unless the contrary intention appears, is a reference to that enactment as amended, and includes a reference thereto as extended or applied, by or under any other enactment, including any other provision of that Act.

[F220AReferences to [F3EU instruments]U.K.

Where an Act passed after the commencement of this section refers to a [F4EU instrument] that has been amended, extended or applied by another such instrument, the reference, unless the contrary intention appears, is a reference to that instrument as so amended, extended or applied.]

SupplementaryU.K.

21 Interpretation etc.U.K.

(1)In this Act “Act” includes a local and personal or private Act; and “subordinate legislation” means Orders in Council, orders, rules, regulations, schemes, warrants, byelaws and other instruments made or to be made under any Act.

(2)This Act binds the Crown.

22 Application to Acts and Measures.U.K.

(1)This Act applies to itself, to any Act passed after the commencement of this Act [F5(subject, in the case of section 20A, to the provision made in that section)] and, to the extent specified in Part I of Schedule 2, to Acts passed before the commencement of this Act.

(2)In any of the foregoing provisions of this Act a reference to an Act is a reference to an Act to which that provision applies; but this does not affect the generality of references to enactments or of the references in section 19(1) to other Acts.

(3)This Act applies to Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England (and, so far as it relates to Acts passed before the commencement of this Act, to Measures of the Church Assembly passed after 28th May 1925) as it applies to Acts.

Textual Amendments

23 Application to other instruments.U.K.

(1)The provisions of this Act, except sections 1 to 3 and 4(b), apply, so far as applicable and unless the contrary intention appears, to subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act and, to the extent specified in Part II of Schedule 2, to subordinate legislation made before the commencement of this Act, as they apply to Acts.

(2)In the application of this Act to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, all references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation whenever made, and references to the passing or repeal of an enactment are to be construed accordingly.

(3)Sections 9 and 19(1) also apply to deeds and other instruments and documents as they apply to Acts and subordinate legislation; and in the application of section 17(2)(a) to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, the reference to any other enactment includes any deed or other instrument or document.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply to Orders in Council made under section 5 of the M2Statutory Instruments Act 1946, section 1(3) of the M3Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or Schedule 1 to the M4Northern Ireland Act 1974.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C43S. 23(3) excluded by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), s. 144(6)

S. 23(3) excluded (6.4.2008 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1160(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(4) (subject to art. 6, Sch. 1); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch. 2 and S.I. 2009/2476, reg. 2(3))

Marginal Citations

[F623A Acts of the Scottish Parliament etc.U.K.

(1)This Act applies in relation to an Act of the Scottish Parliament and an instrument made under such an Act only to the extent provided in this section.

(2)Except as provided in subsection (3) below, sections 15 to 18 apply to—

(a)an Act of the Scottish Parliament as they apply to an Act,

(b)an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament as they apply to subordinate legislation.

(3)In the application of those sections to an Act and to subordinate legislation—

(a)references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and

(b)the reference in section 17(2)(b) to subordinate legislation includes an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

(4)In the application of section 20 to an Act and to subordinate legislation, references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F6S. 23A and sidenote inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(2) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

[F723BMeasures and Acts of the National Assembly for Wales etc.U.K.

(1)Subject as follows, the provisions of this Act—

(a)apply to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales as they apply to an Act, and

(b)apply to an instrument made under a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales as they apply to other subordinate legislation.

(2)Sections 1 to 3 do not apply to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales.

(3)In this Act references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales.

(4)In the application of this Act to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, references to the passing of an Act or an enactment are to be read as references to the enactment of the Measure or Act.

(5)Section 4(b) does not apply to a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales; but where such a Measure makes no provision for the coming into force of a provision contained in it, that provision comes into force at the beginning of the day on which the Measure is approved by Her Majesty in Council.]

Textual Amendments

F7S. 23B inserted by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160(1), Sch. 10 para. 11 (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes at the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act

24 Application to Northern Ireland.U.K.

(1)This Act extends to Northern Ireland so far as it applies to Acts or subordinate legislation which so extend.

(2)In the application of this Act to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, all references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in Northern Ireland legislation whenever passed or made; and in relation to such legislation references to the passing or repeal of an enactment include the making or revocation of an Order in Council.

(3)In the application of section 14 to Acts passed after the commencement of this Act which extend to Northern Ireland, “statutory instrument” includes statutory rule for the purposes of the [F8M5Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979].

[F9(3A)Section 20A applies to Northern Ireland legislation as it applies to Acts.]

(4)The following definitions contained in Schedule 1, namely those of—

apply, unless the contrary intention appears, to Northern Ireland legislation as they apply to Acts.

(5)In this section “Northern Ireland legislation” means—

(a)Acts of the Parliament of Ireland;

(b)Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

(c)Orders in Council under section 1(3) of the M6Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972;

[F12(d)Measures of the Northern Ireland Assembly established under section 1 of the M7Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973;

(e)Orders in Council under Schedule 1 to the M8Northern Ireland Act 1974;

(f)Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and

(g)Orders in Council under section 85 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.]

25 Repeals and savings.U.K.

X1(1)The enactments described in Schedule 3 are repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

(2)Without prejudice to section 17(2)(a), a reference to the M9Interpretation Act 1889, to any provision of that Act or to any other enactment repealed by this Act, whether occurring in another Act, in subordinate legislation, in Northern Ireland legislation or in any deed or other instrument or document, shall be construed as referring to this Act, or to the corresponding provision of this Act, as it applies to Acts passed at the time of the reference.

(3)The provisions of this Act relating to Acts passed after any particular time do not affect the construction of Acts passed before that time, though continued or amended by Acts passed thereafter.

Editorial Information

X1The text of s. 25(1), Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any repeals or amendments which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991

Marginal Citations

26 Commencement.U.K.

This Act shall come into force on 1st January 1979.

27 Short title.U.K.

This Act may be cited as the Interpretation Act 1978.

SCHEDULES

Section 5.

SCHEDULE 1U.K. Words and Expressions Defined

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45Sch. 1 excluded in part (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the excluding Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 721(6)(b) (subject to Sch. 7)

Note: The years or dates which follow certain entries in this Schedule are relevant for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 (application to existing enactments).

DefinitionsU.K.

Textual Amendments

F13In Sch. 1 definition of "Act" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

F14Sch. 1: definition of "British overseas territory" inserted (26.2.2002) by 2002 c. 8, s. 1(3)

F17Sch. 1: definition of "Charity Commission" substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), ss. 354, 355, Sch. 7 para. 35 (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F18In Sch. 1 definition of "civil partnership" inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263(10), Sch. 27 para. 59; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)

F19Sch. 1: words repealed (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 41, 332, 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 49(a), Sch. 37 Pt. 4; S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(d)(2)(3) (with art. 5); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(c)(d)(2)(3), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(d)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)

F22In Sch. 1 in paragraph (b) of definition of "committed for trial" words repealed (1.4.2005) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 86, 87, Sch. 13; S.R. 2005/109, art. 2, Sch.

F26Words in Sch. 1 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 94; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F29In Sch. 1 definition of "Court of Judicature" inserted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 24(b); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F30In Sch.1 definitions of "EEA agreement" and "EEA state" inserted (8.1.2007) by Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), ss. 26(1), 33

F31In Sch. 1 definition of "enactment" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

F32In Sch. 1 definition of "Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs" inserted (7.4.2005 at 5.45 p.m.) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 4(3), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2

F33In Sch. 1 definition of "the immigration acts" inserted (30.3.2006) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), s. 64(4)

F34Sch. 1: words in definition of "The Immigration Acts" substituted (30.10.2007) by UK Borders Act 2007 (c. 30), ss. 59(2), 61(4)

F36Sch. 1: words in definition of "London borough" substituted (1.11.2007 with application as mentioned in art. 1(1) of the commencing S.I.) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 22, 245, Sch. 1 para. 14; S.I. 2007/3136, art. 2 (subject to art. 3)

F39Sch. 1: definition of "Officer of a provider of probation services" inserted (1.4.2008) by Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21), ss. 39, 41(1), Sch. 3 para. 2; S.I. 2008/504, art. 3(k)(l)

F40In Sch. 1 definition of "Officer of Revenue and Customs" inserted (7.4.2005 at 5.45 p.m.) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 2(7), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2

F41In Sch. 1 definitions of "PAYE income" and "PAYE regulations" inserted (6.4.2003 with effect as mentioned in s. 723(1)(a)(b) of amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), ss. 722, 723, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 para. 148 (subject to Sch. 7)

F44In Sch. 1 in definition of "police area" words substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 32

F47Sch. 1: definitions of "Police Service of Northern Ireland" and "Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve" inserted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 74, Sch. 6, para. 5; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F48Sch. 1: definition of "Provider of probation services" inserted (1.4.2008) by Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21), ss. 39, 41(1), Sch. 3 para. 2; S.I. 2008/504, art. 3(k)(l)

F49Sch. 1: definition of "registered" substituted by S.I. 2002/253, art. 54, Sch. 5 para. 7 (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.I.)

F51Sch. 1: definition of "registered medical practitioner" substituted by S.I. 2002/3135, art. 16(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 2) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.I.)

F52Sch. 1: definition of "registered provider of social housing" inserted (1.4.2010) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 277, 325(1), Sch. 9 para. 5; S.I. 2010/862, arts. 1(2), 2 (subject to Sch.); and definition of "registered provider of social housing" and "private registered provider of social housing" immediately substituted (1.4.2010) for that definition by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration of Local Authorities) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/844), arts. 1(2), 6, Sch. 2 para. 1

F53In Sch. 1 definition of "Senior Courts" inserted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 24(b); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F54In Sch. 1 definition of "sent for trial" inserted (9.5.2005 for specified purposes, 18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 41, 336(3), Sch. 3 Pt. 2 para. 49(b); S.I. 2005/1267, art. 2, Sch. Pt. 1 para. 1(1)(h); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(c)(2)(3), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)

F59In Sch. 1 definition of "Supreme Court" substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 24(a); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F61In Sch. 1 definitions of "trust of land" and "trustees of land" inserted (E.W.) (1.1.1997) by 1996 c. 47, s. 25(1), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with ss. 24(2), 25(4)(5)); S.I. 1996/2974, art. 2

F62Definition of "Wales" in Sch. 1 substituted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 9 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 para. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 3, Sch. 1

Marginal Citations

M111947 C.A.M. No. 2.

F64 . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F64Entry repealed (E.W.) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(6)(7), Sch.15 (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F65Entry repealed (E.W) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108 (6)(7) (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)) Sch.15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

Construction of certain expressions relating to offencesU.K.

In relation to England and Wales—

(a)indictable offence” means an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable on indictment, whether it is exclusively so triable or triable either way;

(b)summary offence” means an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable only summarily;

(c)offence triable either way” means an offence [F66, other than an offence triable on indictment only by virtue of Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1988] which, if committed by an adult, is triable either on indictment or summarily;

and the terms “indictable”, “summary” and “triable either way”, in their application to offences, are to be construed accordingly.

In the above definitions references to the way or ways in which an offence is triable are to be construed without regard to the effect, if any, of [F67section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980] on the mode of trial in a particular case.

F68[ Construction of certain references to relationshipsU.K.

In relation to England and Wales—

(a)references (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons;

(b)references to a person whose father and mother were or were not married to each other at the time of his birth; and

(c)references cognate with references falling within paragraph (b) above,

shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987. [The date of the coming into force of that section]]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F69Construction of certain expressions relating to the police: ScotlandU.K.

In relation to Scotland—

(a)references to a police force include references to the Police Service of Scotland;

(b)references to a chief officer of police include references to the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

(c)police authority” means the Scottish Police Authority;

(d)the “police area” of the Police Service of Scotland is Scotland and references to a police force or police authority for any area include references to the Police Service of Scotland or, as the case may be, the Scottish Police Authority;

(e)references to a constable or chief constable of, or appointed for, any area are to be construed as references to a constable or, as the case may be, the chief constable of, or appointed for, the Police Service of Scotland.]

Sections 22, 23.

SCHEDULE 2U.K. Application of Act to Existing Enactments

Part IU.K. Acts

1U.K.The following provisions of this Act apply to Acts whenever passed:—

Textual Amendments

2U.K.The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1850:—

3U.K.The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1889:—

4(1)Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph—U.K.

(a)paragraphs of Schedule 1 at the end of which a year or date F71. . . is specified [F72or described] apply, so far as applicable, to Acts passed on or after the date, or after the year, so specified [F72or described]: and

(b)paragraphs of that Schedule at the end of which no year or date is specified [F72or described] apply, so far as applicable, to Acts passed at any time.

(2)The definition of “British Islands”, in its application to Acts passed after the establishment of the Irish Free State but before the commencement of this Act, includes the Republic of Ireland.

(3)The definition of “colony”, in its application to an Act passed at any time before the commencement of this Act, includes—

(a)any colony within the meaning of section 18(3) of the M33Interpretation Act 1889 which was excluded, but in relation only to Acts passed at a later time, by any enactment repealed by this Act;

(b)any country or territory which ceased after that time to be part of Her Majesty’s dominions but subject to a provision for the continuation of existing law as if it had not so ceased;

and paragraph (b) of the definition does not apply.

(4)The definition of “Lord Chancellor” does not apply to Acts passed before 1st October 1921 in which that expression was used in relation to Ireland only.

(5)The definition of “person”, so far as it includes bodies corporate, applies to any provision of an Act whenever passed relating to an offence punishable on indictment or on summary conviction.

(6)This paragraph applies to F73. . . the M34Water Act 1973 as if they were passed after 1st April 1974.

5U.K.The following definitions shall be treated as included in Schedule 1 for the purposes specified in this paragraph—

(a)in any Act passed before 1st April 1974, a reference to England includes Berwick upon Tweed and Monmouthshire and, in the case of an Act passed before the M35Welsh Language Act 1967, Wales;

(b)in any Act passed before the commencement of this Act and after the year 1850, “land” includes messuages, tenements and hereditaments, houses and buildings of any tenure;

(c)in any Act passed before the commencement of the M36Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975, “the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Acts” means Part II of that Act.

Marginal Citations

Part IIU.K. Subordinate Legislation

6U.K.Sections 4(a), 9 and 19(1), and so much of Schedule 1 as defines the following expressions, namely—

apply to subordinate legislation made at any time before the commencement of this Act as they apply to Acts passed at that time.

7U.K.The definition in Schedule 1 of “county court”, in relation to England and Wales, applies to Orders in Council made after the year 1846.

Section 25.

X2SCHEDULE 3U.K. ENACTMENTS REPEALED

Editorial Information

X2The text of s. 25(1), Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any repeals or amendments which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991