Commencement
- Section 51 outlines the commencement of the Act.
- Section 51 (1) states that Part 3, and sections 11, 13(3), and paragraphs 12 to 14 of Schedule 2 and section 18 so far as relating to those paragraphs, come into force on the day the Act is passed.
- Section 51 (2) enables most of the provisions in Section 13, and certain provisions in Schedule 2, which allow magistrates' court sentencing powers to be varied, to commence automatically upon Royal Assent in certain circumstances. Automatic commencement would take place if provisions to extend those sentencing powers has commenced before the Act receives Royal Assent. Alternatively, provisions increasing magistrates’ court sentencing powers are commenced later, then the remainder of the Section can be brought into force after that date by regulations.
- Section 51(3) provides for the following provisions to come into force two months after the day the Act is passed: section 15 (removal of certain requirements for a hearing in procedural matters), section 16 (and Schedule 1) (documents to be served in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rules), Chapter 4 of Part 2 (Coroners) except for section 44 (provision of information to register when investigation discontinued) and section 48 (payments in respect of pro bono representation).
- The remainder of the Act will be brought into force by means of commencement regulations made by the Lord Chancellor (Section 51(4)).
