Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980
1980 c. 43
An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the jurisdiction of, and the practice and procedure before, magistrates’ courts and the functions of justices’ clerks, and to matters connected therewith, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
[1st August 1980]
Act extended by Insurance Companies Act 1981 (c. 31, SIF 67), s. 14(3)
Act extended (E.W.) by Housing and Building Control Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 47(3)
Act extended (E.W.) by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 129(b)
Act extended (N.I.) by Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c. 50, SIF 67), s. 14(3)
Act modified (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/450, art. 140
Act excluded (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 21(3) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(a)(i)
Act excluded (31.8.2000) by 1997 c. 25, s. 10E (as substituted (31.8.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 78(1) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2000/1920, art. 3(a))
Act applied (E.) (1.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/227, reg. 8(1)
Act extended by Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49, SIF 100:1), ss. 65A, 65B (as inserted by Housing and Building Act 1984 (c. 29, SIF 61), s. 57(1), Sch. 9)
Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), ss. 26(1), 30(6), 40(1)(2), 50(2)
Act applied (E.W.S.) by Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40, SIF 50), s. 10A(3) (as inserted by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), s. 24)
Act excluded (E.W.): by Legal Aid Act 1988 (c. 34, SIF 77:1), s. 39(2)(3); (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 15(1)(2), 74(1)-(4) (with Sch. 4 para. 27)
Act modified (E.W.) by Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53, SIF 107:1), ss. 59(2)(5), 92, 99(5)
Act applied by Food Safety Act 1990 (c. 16, SIF 53:1, 2), ss. 37(3), 54
Act applied (1.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 27(2), 76(2) (with ss. 67(3)(5)(8), 72(6), 74(3)(4))
Act applied by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 81(7), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)
Act extends to England and Wales but for exceptions to this see s. 155(2)-(6)
Act: definition of "petty sessional court-house" applied (E.W.) (31.10.1991) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 92(1); S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(4), Sch. 3
By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.
Act applied (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 14, s. 100, Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (with s. 72(5)); S.I. 1997/305, art.2
Act applied (W.) (1.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2197, s. 8(1)
Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 20(7), 23(5); S.I. 2001/3736, art. 2(a)
Act applied (22.1.2002) by 1998 c. 34, ss. 25(3) (with s. 29); S.I. 2000/3144, art. 2
Act applied (W.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1387, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E.) (22.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1227, reg. 21(6) (with regs. 3, 29)
Act applied (15.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/1998, art. 16(2) (with art. 33)
Act applied (W.) (19.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/2127, reg. 24(6)
Act applied (W.) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2295, reg. 6(3)
Act applied (W) (9.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2296, reg. 6(3)
Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2350, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (13.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2351, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2000/3047, reg. 13A (as inserted by S.I. 2002/2315, reg. 2(3))
Act applied (E.W.) (21.10.2002) by 2001 c. 3, s. 6(3); S.I. 2002/1914, art. 2
Act applied (E.W.) (1.12.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.1.2003) by 2001 c. 3, s. 23(3); S.I. 2002/2957, arts. 2, 3
Act applied (E.) (30.6.2003) by S.I. 2003/1478, reg. 8(5)
Act applied (E.) (11.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1722, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (30.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1940, reg. 6(5)
Act. applied (E.) (31.7.2003) by S.I. 2003/1956, reg. 6(5) (as substituted (7.2.2005) by S.I. 2005/208, reg. 2(5))
Act applied (W.) (5.9.2003) by S.I. 2003/2254, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.) (1.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/1214, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E.) (1.8.2004) by S.I. 2004/1740, reg. 21(6)
Act applied (E) (20.12.2004) by S.I. 2004/3062, reg. 8(5)
Act applied (W.) (10.6.2005) by S.I. 2005/1540, reg. 6(5)
Act applied (E.W.) (8.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2469, reg. 25(3)
Act applied (30.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2745, reg. 38(2) (which S.I. was revoked (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 44(1))
Act applied (W.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3368, regs. 13(2), 18(2)
Act applied (E.) (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3280, regs. 13(2), 18(2)
Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/14, reg. 20
Act applied (E.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/15, reg. 31 (which S.I. was revoked (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, reg. 49)
Act applied (W.) (11.1.2006) by S.I. 2006/31, reg. 20(2)
Act applied (1.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2407, reg. 38(2)
Act applied (E.) (24.11.2006) by S.I. 2006/2841, regs. 19(6), 21(8)
Act applied (W.) (14.2.2007) by S.I. 2007/376, reg. 21(8) (subject to reg. 22)
Act applied (12.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1711, Sch. 5 para. 4(2)
Act applied (1.10.2007) by S.I. 2007/2539, regs. 38(2), 40(7)
Act applied (3.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3106, reg. 10(4)
Act applied (E.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3185, regs. 12(2), 31(2)
Act applied (W.) (14.12.2007) by S.I. 2007/3294, regs. 12(2), 31(2)
Act applied (prosp.) by 2006 c. 50, ss. 62(4), 79
Act amended (W.) (29.2.2003) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/284), art. 127 (with art. 82(1))
Act amended (1.2.2007) by The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/236), arts. 1(1), 128 (with arts. 83(1), 137(1))
Act restricted (E.W.) (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 26(1), 110; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3
Act restricted (E.W.) (15.12.2006) by S.I. 2006/3407, art. 7
Act modified (E.W.) (24.3.2003) by 2002 c. 29, ss. 67(6)(b), 458(1)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.
Act modified (E.W.) (4.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/384, rule 26.4(2)-(7)
Act applied (W.) (25.9.2003) by The Food (Hot Chilli and Hot Chilli Products) (Emergency Control) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2455), reg. 6(5)
Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (27.3.2006) by The Collection of Fines (Pilot Scheme) and Discharge of Fines by Unpaid Work (Pilot Schemes) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/502), arts. 1(1)(b)(2), 7
Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/41), regs. 1(2), 25(1)
Act applied (15.2.2008) by The Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2002/528), reg. 16(2) (as substituted by S.I. 2008/91, reg. 2, Sch. para. 5)
Act applied (1.10.2008) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7)
Act applied (16.1.2009) by The Spirit Drinks Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3206), regs. 12(16)(a), 14(2)(a)
Act applied (E.) (19.1.2009) by The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3252), reg. 5(5)
Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 1 para. 9ZA(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 107 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6), Sch. 6 para. 6A(8) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 108(6) (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
Act excluded (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), Sch. 8 para. 25A(5) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para 109 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2)
Act applied (E.) (14.9.2009) by The Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2163), reg. 21(16)
Act applied (1.10.2009) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2297), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (23.11.2009) by The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2890), reg. 21(16)
Act applied (E.) (1.1.2010) by The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3101), reg. 19(2) (with reg. 2)
Act applied (E.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3255), regs. 12(2), 33(2)
Act applied (W.) (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3376), reg. 33(2)
Act applied (25.1.2010) by The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3391), art. 7(4) (with art. 2(1))
Act applied (W.) (4.2.2010) by The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/66), reg. 19(2)
Act applied (6.4.2010) by The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/543), reg. 13(2)
Act applied (6.4.2010) by The Detergents Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/740), reg. 27(3)
Act applied (E.) (1.6.2010) by The Beef and Pig Carcase Classification (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1090), reg. 20(3)
Act applied (W.) (16.7.2010) by The Eggs and Chicks (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1671), reg. 21(16)
Act applied (17.9.2010) by The Marketing of Fruit Plant Material Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2079), Sch. 4 para. 5(2) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (27.9.2010) by The Pharmacy Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/231), arts. 1(5), 16(2); S.I. 2010/1621, art. 2(1), Sch.
Act applied (E.) (21.3.2011) by The Poultrymeat (England) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/452), regs. 6(3), 13(17), 15(2)
Act applied (E.) (25.5.2011) by The Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1197), reg. 24 (with reg. 3)
Act applied (18.6.2011) by The Magistrates’ Courts (Enforcement or Variation of Orders Made in Family Proceedings and Miscellaneous Provisions) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/1329), rule 28(1) (with rule 3)
Act applied (W.) (1.7.2011) by The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (Wales) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1605), reg. 9(2)
Act applied (E.) (1.7.2011) by The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (England) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1517), reg. 9(2)
Act applied (1.10.2011) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2159), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (with modifications) (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The International Recovery of Maintenance (Hague Convention 2007 etc.) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2814), Sch. 1 para. 2(8)
Act excluded (1.4.2013) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 36(3)(4), 151(1) (with s. 43); S.I. 2013/453, art. 3(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2013/534, art. 6)
Act applied (1.10.2013) by Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (c. 10), s. 23(2), Sch. 1 para. 9(4); S.I. 2013/1966, art. 3(u)
Act applied (1.10.2013) by The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2033), regs. 39(2), 41(7) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (1.12.2013) by Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (c. 10), s. 23(2), Sch. 2 paras. 4(7), 7(5); S.I. 2013/1966, art. 4(h)
Act applied (E.) (31.12.2013) by The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2996), reg. 22(2) (with reg. 1(2))
Act applied (7.3.2015) by The Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/168), reg. 17(3) (with reg. 12(7))
Act applied (E.) (6.4.2015) by The Animal Feed (Hygiene, Sampling etc. and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/454), reg. 12(2) (with reg. 3(1))
Act applied (W.) (30.4.2015) by The Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3266), reg. 19(2)
Act applied (E.) (27.6.2016) by The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/618), reg. 19(2) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (W.) (19.6.2017) by The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/691), reg. 22(2)
Act applied (W.) (20.11.2017) by The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1041), reg. 21(2) (with reg. 3)
Act applied (E.) (8.3.2018) by The Novel Foods (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/154), reg. 6(2)
Act applied (W.) (14.12.2018) by The Carcase Classification and Price Reporting (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1215), reg. 21(3) (with reg. 6)
Act applied (temp.) (E.) (4.7.2020 at 00.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/684), regs. 1(2)(b), 6(13) (with reg. 11)
Act applied (temp.) (W.) (14.9.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/984), regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a) (with reg. 3)
Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 7 para. 26(6) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Act excluded (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 10 para. 26(5) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 4(9A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 8(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))
Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 5(9A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 9(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))
Act applied by S.I. 2020/750, reg. 6(5A) (as inserted (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 10(b) (with Sch. para. 13(1)(2)))
Act applied by S.I. 2012/2619, reg. 19C(2) (as inserted (25.12.2020) by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1410), regs. 1(2), 4(11))
Act applied (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2008/3206, reg. 12(16) (as substituted (E.W.S.) by The Agricultural Products, Food and Drink (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1637), regs. 1(7), 10(8))
Act applied (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2008/3206, reg. 14(2) (as substituted (E.W.S.) by The Agricultural Products, Food and Drink (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1637), regs. 1(7), 10(9))
Act applied (temp.) (E.) (2.12.2020) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1375), regs. 1(1), 9(3)(a) (with reg. 12 (as amended (E.) (15.5.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and Other Provisions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/585), regs. 1(2), 5) and as amended (E.) (20.6.2021 at 11.55 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and Other Provisions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/705), regs. 1(2), 4(2))
Act applied (temp.) (E.) (18.7.2020 at 12.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/750), regs. 1(2), 6(5)(a) (with reg. 19 (as amended (20.6.2021 at 11.55 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and Other Provisions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/705), regs. 1(2), 4(1) and as amended (18.7.2021 at 11.55 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps etc.) (England) (Revocation and Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/848), regs. 1(2), 4)
Act applied (W.) (10.9.2021) by The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/416), regs. 1(2), 23(2)
Act applied (temp.) (18.9.2020 at 12.01 a.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1011), regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a) (with reg. 3) (as amended (25.11.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 20) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1304), regs. 1(2), 3)
Act applied (13.9.2024 for specified purposes, 29.11.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 (anaw 2), s. 126(2), Sch. 3 para. 18(5); S.I. 2024/938, art. 2(1)(k); S.I. 2024/1248, art. 2(jj) (with arts. 4, 5)
Act applied (29.11.2024) by The Special Procedures Approved Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1229), regs. 1(2), 35(3)