This Order brings into force in England and Wales on 25th July 2007 the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”) specified in article 2 for the purposes of criminal proceedings instituted by specified persons in a magistrates’ court sitting in specified locations.

The effect of the Order is that a member of a police force, or a person authorised by a police force to institute criminal proceedings, may, under section 29 of the 2003 Act, institute criminal proceedings by issuing a written charge and requisition in a magistrates’ courts sitting in the locations specified in sub-paragraphs (i) to (xviii) of paragraph (a) of article 3. A person authorised under section 49 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 to conduct and appear in any proceedings involving the Secretary of State under that Act may also institute criminal proceedings by issuing a written charge and requisition in a magistrates’ court sitting in Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.