Part 1

Amendments of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Codes of practice
11
1
In section 67 of the 1984 Act (supplementary provisions about codes), for subsections (1) to (7C) there is substituted—
1
In this section, “code” means a code of practice under section 60, 60A or 66.
2
The Secretary of State may at any time revise the whole or any part of a code.
3
A code may be made, or revised, so as to—
a
apply only in relation to one or more specified areas,
b
have effect only for a specified period,
c
apply only in relation to specified offences or descriptions of offender.
4
Before issuing a code, or any revision of a code, the Secretary of State must consult—
a
persons whom he considers to represent the interests of police authorities,
b
persons whom he considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police,
c
the General Council of the Bar,
d
the Law Society of England and Wales,
e
the Institute of Legal Executives, and
f
such other persons as he thinks fit.
5
A code, or a revision of a code, does not come into operation until the Secretary of State by order so provides.
6
The power conferred by subsection (5) is exercisable by statutory instrument.
7
An order bringing a code into operation may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.
7A
An order bringing a revision of a code into operation must be laid before Parliament if the order has been made without a draft having been so laid and approved by a resolution of each House.
7B
When an order or draft of an order is laid, the code or revision of a code to which it relates must also be laid.
7C
No order or draft of an order may be laid until the consultation required by subsection (4) has taken place.
7D
An order bringing a code, or a revision of a code, into operation may include transitional or saving provisions.
2
Section 113 of the 1984 Act (application of Act to armed forces) is amended as follows.
3
After subsection (3) there is inserted—
3A
In subsections (4) to (10), “code” means a code of practice under subsection (3).
4
For subsections (5) to (7) there is substituted—
5
The Secretary of State may at any time revise the whole or any part of a code.
6
A code may be made, or revised, so as to—
a
apply only in relation to one or more specified areas,
b
have effect only for a specified period,
c
apply only in relation to specified offences or descriptions of offender.
7
The Secretary of State must lay a code, or any revision of a code, before Parliament.