39.1. The periods set out for the purposes of section 77(2)(a) and (b) of the Senior Courts Act 1981(1) shall be 14 days and 8 weeks respectively and accordingly, the trial of a person committed by a magistrates’ court—
(a)shall not begin until the expiration of 14 days beginning with the date of his committal, except with his consent and the consent of the prosecution; and
(b)shall, unless the Crown Court has otherwise ordered, begin not later than the expiration of 8 weeks beginning with the date of his committal.
1981 c. 54; section 77(2) was amended by paragraph 18 of Schedule 9 to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33) and, for certain purposes by paragraph 54 of Schedule 3 to, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44). It is further amended by Schedule 2 to the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23) and paragraph 54 of Schedule 3 to, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), with effect from dates to be appointed. The Act’s title was amended by section 59(5) of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 11 to, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4).