← Current text · History

Criminal Law Act 1967

Current text a fecha 2009-03-28

Part I — Felony and Misdemeanour

Abolition of distinction between felony and misdemeanour.

1

Arrest without warrant.

2

The said restrictions are those which apply where, in pursuance of subsection (2) of section 22 of the said Act of 1980 (certain offences to be tried summarily if value involved is small) a magistrates’ court summarily convicts a person of a scheduled offence within the meaning of the said section 22.

Use of force in making arrest, etc.

3

Penalties for assisting offenders.

4

Penalties for concealing offences or giving false information.

5

Trial of offences.

6

but may not be found guilty of any offence not included above.

Powers of dealing with offenders.

7

Jurisdiction of quarter sessions.

8

Pardon.

9

Nothing in this Act shall affect Her Majesty’s royal prerogative of mercy, but a pardon in respect of any offence if granted by warrant under Her royal sign manual, countersigned by the Secretary of State, shall be of like effect as a pardon under the great seal.

Amendments of particular enactments, and repeals.

10

Extent of Part I, and provision for Northern Ireland.

11

Commencement, savings, and other general provisions.

12

Part II — Obsolete Crimes

Abolition of certain offences, and consequential repeals.

13

and in so far as it repeals any such Act or enactment.

Part III — Supplementary

Civil rights in respect of maintenance and champerty.

14

Short title.

15

This Act may be cited as the Criminal Law Act 1967.

SCHEDULE 1

LIST A Division I: Offences triable by all courts of quarter sessions

1

Offences against section 17 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861 (arson of stacks of corn etc.).

2
3

Offences against section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911 in relation to statements in statutory declarations.

4

The following offences against the Forgery Act 1913:—

5

Offences against the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889.

6

Unlawful combinations and conspiracies to cheat and defraud.

LIST A Division II: Offences triable by courts of quarter sessions other than courts with restricted jurisdiction

1

Offences under section 38 of the Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals Act 1826 (personation to obtain pension, etc.).

2

Offences under section 14 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861 (destruction of textiles during manufacture or of textile machinery).

3

Offences against the Coinage Offences Act 1936, other than offences against sections 1(1)(a), 2, 9(1) and (2) and 10 (certain offences in relation to coinage of higher denominations, to coining implements and to removal of coining implements, coin or bullion from the Mint).

4

Offences against the following provisions of the Perjury Act 1911:—

5
6
7

Offences against section 60 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (endeavouring to conceal birth of child).

8

Offences against section 9 of the Night Poaching Act 1828 (poaching at night by armed gangs).

9

Conspiracies to commit offences punishable on summary conviction.

LIST B: Offences excluded (subject to List A) from jurisdiction of all courts of quarter sessions

1

Any offence for which a person may be sentenced to death.

2

Any offence for which a person may under or by virtue of any enactment be sentenced to imprisonment for life.

3

Misprision of treason.

4

Offences against the Queen's title, prerogative, person or government, or against either House of Parliament.

5

Blasphemy and offences against religion.

6

Composing, printing or publishing blasphemous, seditious or defamatory libels.

7

Administering or taking unlawful oaths.

8

Perjury and subornation of perjury, offences against the Perjury Act 1911, and offences which under any enactment are declared to be perjury or to be punishable as perjury or as subornation of perjury.

9

Forgery, offences against the Forgery Act 1913 and offences which under any enactment are declared to be forgery or to be punishable as forgery.

10
11
12

Unlawful combinations and conspiracies, other than conspiracies or combinations to commit offences which the court in question has jurisdiction to try when committed by one person.

13
14

Offences against section 9 of the Night Poaching Act 1828 (poaching at night by armed gangs).

15

Offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1939.

16
17

Offences against section 1 of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957.

18

Offences against section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 (causing death by reckless or dangerous driving).

19

Offences against section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 (aiding and abetting suicide).

SCHEDULE 2

Adaptations of enactments referring to felony

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3
4

In section 8 of the Carriers Act 1830 (under which the protection given by that Act to common carriers does not extend to the felonious acts of their servants) for the words “the felonious acts” there shall be substituted the words “any theft, embezzlement or forgery”.

5

In the following enactments (which confer on the police powers of entry into vessels on suspicion of felony), that is to say,—

for the expressions “felony” and “felonies” there shall be substituted the expressions “arrestable offence” and “arrestable offences”; and any enactment for the same or like purposes which is contained in any local or private Act shall be modified as near as may be in the same way.

6

In the following enactments (which provide for the trial of murder or manslaughter where any person dies in a country after being feloniously stricken out of it or vice versa), that is to say,—

for the word “feloniously”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted the word “criminally”.

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

The following enactments (which make it an offence to make or have gunpowder etc. for the purpose of a felony mentioned in the Act in question, and confer powers of search for such gunpowder etc.), that is to say,—

. . . sections 64 and 65 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861;

shall have effect as if the references to felonies mentioned in the Act included any offence so mentioned for which a person (not previously convicted) may be tried on indictment otherwise than at his own instance.

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

In section 23 of the Regimental Debts Act 1893 (which applies the provisions of that Act as to the collection and disposal of the effects of a deceased serviceman to the case of a serviceman convicted by a civil court of felony) for the words “or is convicted by a civil court of any offence which by the law of England is felony” there shall be substituted the words “or, in consequence of a conviction by or before a court of ordinary criminal jurisdiction, is sentenced to death or is imprisoned or detained to serve a sentence of three months or more”.

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

Amendments related to alternative verdicts

13
14

In the Sexual Offences Act 1956, in the following provisions relating to girls not under the age of 13 but under the age of 16, the words “not under the age of 13 but” shall be omitted, that is to say,—

and accordingly in Schedule 2, in items 10(a) and 26, for the words “between 13 and16” there shall be substituted the words “under 16”.

Miscellaneous

15

SCHEDULE 3

Part I

Part II

Part III

SCHEDULE 4

Part I

Part II

Part III — Savings, etc.

1

The repeal by this Act of the Statute of Praemunire shall not affect the punishment for offences against section 11 of the Habeas Corpus Act 1679, and accordingly in that section for the words “shall incur and sustain the pains penalties and forfeitures limited ordained and provided in the Statute of Provision and Praemunire made in the sixteenth year of King Richard the Second” there shall be substituted the words “ be liable to imprisonment for life ”.

2

The repeal by this Act of the Unlawful Societies Act 1799 and the Seditious Meetings Act 1846 shall not be taken to extend to the provisions of those Acts set out in the Schedule to the Newspapers, Printers and Reading Rooms Repeal Act 1869 as those provisions have effect by virtue of the last mentioned Act.

Abolition of distinction between felony and misdemeanour.

Penalties for concealing offences or giving false information.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Church Assembly Measure

Act of Parliament of Ireland

Act of Parliament of Ireland

Editorial notes

[^c669141]: S. 2 repealed (E.W.) by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119(2), Sch. 7 Pt. I

[^c669142]: S. 2 extended by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), s. 12(3)

[^c669143]: Words inserted by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), s. 65(7), Sch. 12

[^c669144]: Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 7 para. 61

[^c669145]: Words added by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), s. 65(7), Sch. 12

[^c669146]: Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 7 para. 61

[^c669147]: Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 7 para. 61

[^c669148]: Words repealed by Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 (c. 59), Sch. 6 Pt. I

[^c669149]: S. 4(1) amended as to mode of trial by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82) , Sch. 1 para. 26 ( a )

[^c669151]: Proviso repealed by Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 (c. 59) , Sch. 6 Pt. I

[^c669152]: Ss. 4(5), 5(4) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) , s. 65(5)(7) , Sch. 13

[^c669153]: S. 4(6) repealed by Extradition Act 1989 (c. 33, SIF 48) , s. 37 , Sch. 2

[^c669154]: S. 4(7) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60) , Sch. 3 Pt. III

[^c669155]: S. 5 restricted (28.7.1998) by 1998 c. 35, s. 14(2)(c); S.I. 1998/1858, art.2.

[^c669156]: S. 5(1) amended as to mode of trial by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 1 para. 26(b)

[^c669157]: Ss. 4(5), 5(4) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), s. 65(5)(7), Sch. 13

[^c669158]: S. 7 repealed by Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62), Sch. 6

[^c669159]: S. 8 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

[^c669160]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669161]: S. 11(2)(a)(i) repealed by Extradition Act 1989 (c. 33, SIF 48), s. 37, Sch. 2

[^c669165]: 1893 c. 5.

[^c669166]: S. 11(3) repealed by Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64, SIF 39:2), s. 40(3), Sch. 3

[^c669167]: S. 11(4) repealed by Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (c. 36), Sch. 6 Pt. I

[^c669140]: Subject to s. 11(2)-(4) this Part shall not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland see s. 11(1)

[^c669168]: This section shall extend to Northern Ireland only in accordance with s. 11(3)

[^c669169]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669170]: Sch. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

[^c669171]: Sch. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

[^c669172]: Sch. 2 para. 2 repealed by Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47), Sch. Pt. II and by Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64, SIF 39:2), s. 40(3), Sch. 3

[^c669173]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669174]: 1826 c. 64

[^c669175]: 1851 c. 55

[^c669176]: 1826 c. 64.

[^c669177]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669178]: 1830 c. 68.

[^c669179]: 1839 c. 47.

[^c669180]: 1840 c. 50.

[^c669181]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669182]: 1849 c. 96

[^c669183]: 1860 c. 122

[^c669184]: 1861 c. 100

[^c669185]: Sch. 2 para. 7 repealed by Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48), Sch. Pt. I

[^c669186]: Para. 8(a) repealed by Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48), Sch. Pt. I

[^c669187]: Word repealed by Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48), Sch. Pt. I

[^c669188]: 1861 c. 100.

[^c669189]: Sch. 2 para. 9 repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), Sch. 6 Pt. II

[^c669190]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669191]: 1893 c. 5.

[^c669192]: Sch. 2 para. 11 repealed by Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 (c. 45, SIF 39:7), Sch. 1 Pt. I

[^c669193]: Sch. 2 para. 12 (1) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. Pt. III

[^c669194]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669195]: 1914 c. 59.

[^c669196]: 1926 c. 7.

[^c669197]: 1916 c. 50.

[^c669198]: Sch. 2 para. 12(3)–(5) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. Pt. III

[^c669199]: 1916 c. 50.

[^c669200]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669201]: 1861 c. 100.

[^c669202]: Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(b) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. Pt. III

[^c669203]: 1933 c. 12.

[^c669204]: 1956 c. 69.

[^c669205]: Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(e)(2) repealed by Road Traffic Act 1972 (c. 20), Sch. 9 Pt. I

[^c669207]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669208]: 1956 c. 69.

[^c669211]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 15(1) repealed (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt.II.

[^c669212]: 1802 c. 85.

[^c669213]: Sch. 2 para 15(2) repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pts. III, IV

[^c669214]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^c669216]: 1392 c. 5.

[^c669217]: 1679 c. 2.

[^c669218]: 1799 c. 90.

[^c669219]: 1846 c. 33.

[^c669220]: 1869 c. 24.

[^c669215]: The text of S. 10(2), S. 13(2), Sch. 2 paras. 3, 4, 6, 10, 12(2), 13(1)(a)(c)(d), 14, Sch. 3 and Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

[^key-36d5cd2d58ca618cae346c26690694a0]: S. 6(3A)(3B) inserted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 11, 60; S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(a)

[^key-696da24b17b3c8cda0ab868983f01452]: Words in s. 4(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15) , s. 178(8) , Sch. 7 para. 40(2)(a)(i) ; S.I. 2005/3495 , art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-0ca502f646ccd4b6bedf2feec9c3a887]: Words in s. 4(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15) , s. 178(8) , Sch. 7 para. 40(2)(a)(ii) ; S.I. 2005/3495 , art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-fd4e7177b01a47329c216653aeea276a]: S. 4(1A) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15) , s. 178(8) , Sch. 7 para. 40(2)(b) ; S.I. 2005/3495 , art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-36ad8d99540b8b01b2aa758cca8770bc]: Words in s. 4(2) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 40(2)(c); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-3d58304721577cff1280ca6e04ab3fb5]: Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 40(3)(a); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-cd8dd394a8f1de76996597bd6ab79406]: Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 40(3)(b); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)

[^key-e7df2b6511f541105703068dd2668e87]: Words in s. 6(4) inserted (24.7.2006 for E.W., 8.1.2007 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 36 para. 41; S.I. 2006/1835, art. 2(h); S.I. 2006/3422, art. 2(c)(i)

[^key-e04b182065bd9300830f4a18560e78e8]: S. 11(2)(a)(ii) repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

[^M_F_5ee5ca34-e29c-43d4-ed06-0cb8326b5287]: Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), ss. 38, 46