Time limit for prosecutionU.K.
71.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 M1, an information relating to an offence under these Regulations which is triable by a magistrates' court in England and Wales may be so tried if it is laid at any time before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the commission of the offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in section 136 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 M2 summary proceedings in Scotland for an offence under these Regulations may be commenced at any time before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the commission of the offence.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), section 136(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 applies.
(4) Notwithstanding anything in article 19(1) of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 M3, a complaint charging an offence under these Regulations which is triable by a magistrates' court in Northern Ireland may be so tried if it is made at any time before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the commission of the offence.