Interpretation Act 1978

General provisions as to enactment and operation

Words of enactment

1

Every section of an Act takes effect as a substantive enactment without introductory words.

Amendment or repeal in same Session

2

Any Act may be amended or repealed in the Session of Parliament in which it is passed.

Judicial notice

3

Every Act is a public Act to be judicially noticed as such, unless the contrary is expressly provided by the Act.

Time of commencement

4

An Act or provision of an Act comes into force—

• (a) where provision is made for it to come into force on a particular day, at the beginning of that day;

• (b) where no provision is made for its coming into force, at the beginning of the day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.

Interpretation and construction

Definitions

5

In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears, words and expressions listed in Schedule 1 to this Act are to be construed according to that Schedule.

Gender and number

6

In any Act, unless the contrary intention appears,—

• (a) words importing the masculine gender include the feminine;

• (b) words importing the feminine gender include the masculine;

• (c) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.

References to service by post

7

Where an Act authorises or requires any document to be served by post (whether the expression “serve” or the expression “give” or “send” or any other expression is used) then, unless the contrary intention appears, the service is deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the document and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

References-to distance

8

In the measurement of any distance for the purposes of an Act, that distance shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.

References to time of day.

9

Subject to section 3 of the Summer Time Act 1972 (construction of references to points of time during the period of summer time), whenever an expression of time occurs in an Act, the time referred to shall, unless it is otherwise specifically stated, be held to be Greenwich mean time.

References to the Sovereign

10

In any Act a reference to the Sovereign reigning at the time of the passing of the Act is to be construed, unless the contrary intention appears, as a reference to the Sovereign for the time being.

Construction of subordinate legislation

11

Where an Act confers power to make subordinate legislation, expressions used in that legislation have, unless the contrary intention appears, the meaning which they bear in the Act.

Statutory powers and duties

Continuity of powers and duties

12

• (1) Where an Act confers a power or imposes a duty it is implied, unless the contrary intention appears, that the power may be exercised, or the duty is to be performed, from time to time as occasion requires.

• (2) Where an Act confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of an office as such, it is implied, unless the contrary intention appears, that the power may be exercised, or the duty is to be performed, by the holder for the time being of the office.

Anticipatory exercise of powers

13

Where an Act which (or any provision of which) does not come into force immediately on its passing confers power to make subordinate legislation, or to make appointments, give notices, prescribe forms or do any other thing for the purposes of the Act, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised, and any instrument made thereunder may be made so as to come into force, at any time after the passing of the Act so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose—

• (a) of bringing the Act or any provision of the Act into force; or

• (b) of giving full effect to the Act or any such provision at or after the time when it comes into force.

Implied power to amend

14

Where an Act confers power to make—

• (a) rules, regulations or byelaws; or

• (b) Orders in Council, orders or other subordinate legislation to be made by statutory instrument,

it implies, unless the contrary intention appears, a power, exercisable in the same manner and subject to the same conditions or limitations, to revoke, amend or re-enact any instrument made under the power.

Repealing enactments

Application to Northern Ireland.

15

Where an Act repeals a repealing enactment, the repeal does not revive any enactment previously repealed unless words are added reviving it.

General savings

16

• (1) Without prejudice to section 15, where an Act repeals an enactment, the repeal does not, unless the contrary intention appears,—

• (a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect;

• (b) affect the previous operation of the enactment repealed or anything duly done or suffered under that enactment;

• (c) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under that enactment;

• (d) affect any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against that enactment;

• (e) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment;

and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if the repealing Act had not been passed.

• (2) This section applies to the expiry of a temporary enactment as if it were repealed by an Act.

Repeal and re-enactment

17

• (1) Where an Act repeals a previous enactment and substitutes provisions for the enactment repealed, the repealed enactment remains in force until the substituted provisions come into force.

• (2) Where an Act repeals and re-enacts, with or without modification, a previous enactment then, unless the contrary intention appears,—

• (a) any reference in any other enactment to the enactment so repealed shall be construed as a reference to the provision re-enacted;

• (b) in so far as any subordinate legislation made or other thing done under the enactment so repealed, or having effect as if so made or done, could have been made or done under the provision re-enacted, it shall have effect as if made or done under that provision.

Miscellaneous

Duplicated offences

18

Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more Acts, or both under an Act and at common law, the offender shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of those Acts or at common law, but shall not be liable to be punished more than once for the same offence.

Citation of other Acts

19

• (1) Where an Act cites another Act by year, statute, session or chapter, or a section or other portion of another Act by number or letter, the reference shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be read as referring—

• (a) in the case of Acts included in any revised edition of the statutes printed by authority, to that edition;

• (b) in the case of Acts not so included but included in the edition prepared under the direction of the Record Commission, to that edition;

• (c) in any other case, to the Acts printed by the Queen’s Printer, or under the superintendence or authority of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

• (2) An Act may continue to be cited by the short title authorised by any enactment notwithstanding the repeal of that enactment.

References to other enactments

20

• (1) Where an Act describes or cites a portion of an enactment by referring to words, sections or other parts from or to which (or from and to which) the portion extends, the portion described or cited includes the words, sections or other parts referred to unless the contrary intention appears.

• (2) Where an Act refers to an enactment, the reference, unless the contrary intention appears, is a reference to that enactment as amended, and includes a reference thereto as extended or applied, by or under any other enactment, including any other provision of that Act.

• (2A) Where—

• (a) an Act passed on or after IP completion day refers to any treaty relating to the EU or any instrument or other document of an EU entity, and

• (b) the treaty, instrument or document has effect by virtue of section 7A or 7B of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (general implementation of remainder of EU withdrawal agreement etc.),

the reference, unless the contrary intention appears and so far as required for the purposes of relevant separation agreement law, is a reference to the treaty, instrument or document as it so has effect (including, so far as so required, as it has effect from time to time).

• (3) Subject to subsection (2A), where an Act passed on or after IP completion day refers to any EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement, the reference, unless the contrary intention appears, is a reference to the EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 or section 1 of the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020.

• (4) Subsection (3) does not determine any question as to whether the reference is to be read as a reference to the EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement as modified by domestic law (and, accordingly, is without prejudice to subsection (2)).

• (5) Any expression in subsections (2A) to (4) which is defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 has the same meaning in the subsection concerned as in that Act.

• (6) In this section, “treaty” includes any international agreement (and any protocol or annex to a treaty or international agreement).

Supplementary

Interpretation etc.

21

• (1) In this Act “Act” includes a local and personal or private Act; and “subordinate legislation” means Orders in Council, orders, rules, regulations, schemes, warrants, byelaws and other instruments made or to be made under any Act or made or to be made on or after IP completion day under any retained direct EU legislation other than retained direct EU CAP legislation as so defined or made or to be made on or after exit day under retained direct EU CAP legislation as defined in section 2 of the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020.

• (2) This Act binds the Crown.

Application to Acts and Measures

22

• (1) This Act applies to itself, to any Act passed after the commencement of this Act (subject , in the case of section 20(2A) to (6), to the provision made in section 20(2A) or (3) and, in the case of section 20A, to the provision made in that section) and, to the extent specified in Part I of Schedule 2, to Acts passed before the commencement of this Act.

• (2) In any of the foregoing provisions of this Act a reference to an Act is a reference to an Act to which that provision applies; but this does not affect the generality of references to enactments or of the references in section 19(1) to other Acts.

• (3) This Act applies to Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England (and, so far as it relates to Acts passed before the commencement of this Act, to Measures of the Church Assembly passed after 28th May 1925) as it applies to Acts.

Application to other instruments

23

• (1) The provisions of this Act, except sections 1 to 3 and 4(b), apply, so far as applicable and unless the contrary intention appears, to subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act and, to the extent specified in Part II of Schedule 2, to subordinate legislation made before the commencement of this Act, as they apply to Acts.

• (2) In the application of this Act to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, all references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation whenever made, and references to the passing or repeal of an enactment are to be construed accordingly.

• (3) Sections 9 and 19(1) also apply to deeds and other instruments and documents as they apply to Acts and subordinate legislation; and in the application of section 17(2)(a) to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, the reference to any other enactment includes any deed or other instrument or document.

• (4) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply to Orders in Council made under section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946, section 1(3) of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974.

Application to Northern Ireland

24

• (1) This Act extends to Northern Ireland so far as it applies to Acts or subordinate legislation which so extend.

• (2) In the application of this Act to Acts passed or subordinate legislation made after the commencement of this Act, all references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in Northern Ireland legislation whenever passed or made; and in relation to such legislation references to the passing or repeal of an enactment include the making or revocation of an Order in Council.

• (3) In the application of section 14 to Acts passed after the commencement of this Act which extend to Northern Ireland, “statutory instrument” includes statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.

• (3A) Section 20A applies to Northern Ireland legislation as it applies to Acts.

• (4) The following definitions contained in Schedule 1, namely those of—

• ...

• The Communities ...;

• The Corporation Tax Acts;

• E.C.S.C. Treaty;

• E.E.C. Treaty;

• EEA agreement and EEA state;

• Entry date;

• The EU or the European Union;

• EU institution;

• EU instrument;

• Euratom, Economic Community and Coal and Steel Community;

• Euratom Treaty;

• European Court;

• The Income Tax Acts;

• Member (in the expression “member State”);

• The Tax Acts ;

• The Treaties or the EU Treaties,

apply, unless the contrary intention appears, to Northern Ireland legislation as they apply to Acts.

• (5) In this section “Northern Ireland legislation” means—

• (a) Acts of the Parliament of Ireland;

• (b) Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

• (c) Orders in Council under section 1(3) of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972;

• (d) Measures of the Northern Ireland Assembly established under section 1 of the Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973;

• (e) Orders in Council under Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974;

• (f) Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and

• (g) Orders in Council under section 85 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Repeals and savings

25

• (1) The enactments described in Schedule 3 are repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

• (2) Without prejudice to section 17(2)(a), a reference to the Interpretation Act 1889, to any provision of that Act or to any other enactment repealed by this Act, whether occurring in another Act, in subordinate legislation, in Northern Ireland legislation or in any deed or other instrument or document, shall be construed as referring to this Act, or to the corresponding provision of this Act, as it applies to Acts passed at the time of the reference.

• (3) The provisions of this Act relating to Acts passed after any particular time do not affect the construction of Acts passed before that time, though continued or amended by Acts passed thereafter.

Commencement

26

This Act shall come into force on 1st January 1979.

Short title

27

This Act may be cited as the Interpretation Act 1978.

SCHEDULE 1

Note: The years or dates which follow certain entries in this Schedule are relevant for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 (application to existing enactments).

Definitions

...

In relation to England and Wales the following expressions and references, namely—

are to be construed in accordance with Part IV of that Act. [12th November 1975]

Construction of certain expressions relating to offences

In relation to England and Wales—

and the terms " indictable ", " summary " and " triable either way ". in their application to offences, are to be construed accordingly. In the above definitions references to the way or ways in which an offence is triable are to be construed without regard to the effect, if any, of section 23 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 on the mode of trial in a particular case.

SCHEDULE 2

Part I — Acts

1

The following provisions of this Act apply to Acts whenever passed:—

• Section 6(a) and (c) so far as applicable to enactments relating to offences punishable on indictment or on summary conviction

• Section 9

• Section 10

• Section 11 so far as it relates to subordinate legislation made after the year 1889

• Section 14A

• Section 18

• Section 19(2).

2

The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1850:—

• Section 1

• Section 2

• Section 3

• Section 6(a) and (c) so far as not applicable to such Acts by virtue of paragraph 1

• Section 15

• Section 17(1).

3

The following apply to Acts passed after the year 1889:—

• Section 4

• Section 7

• Section 8

• Section 12

• Section 13

• Section 14 so far as it relates to rules, regulations or byelaws

• Section 16(1)

• Section 17(2)(a)

• Section 19(1)

• Section 20(1).

4

• (1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph—

• (a) paragraphs of Schedule 1 at the end of which a year or date . . . is specified or described apply, so far as applicable, to Acts passed on or after the date, or after the year, so specified or described: and

• (b) paragraphs of that Schedule at the end of which no year or date is specified or described apply, so far as applicable, to Acts passed at any time.

• (2) The definition of “British Islands”, in its application to Acts passed after the establishment of the Irish Free State but before the commencement of this Act, includes the Republic of Ireland.

• (3) The definition of “colony”, in its application to an Act passed at any time before the commencement of this Act, includes—

• (a) any colony within the meaning of section 18(3) of the Interpretation Act 1889 which was excluded, but in relation only to Acts passed at a later time, by any enactment repealed by this Act;

• (b) any country or territory which ceased after that time to be part of Her Majesty’s dominions but subject to a provision for the continuation of existing law as if it had not so ceased;

and paragraph (b) of the definition does not apply.

• (4) The definition of “Lord Chancellor” does not apply to Acts passed before 1st October 1921 in which that expression was used in relation to Ireland only.

• (5) The definition of “person”, so far as it includes bodies corporate, applies to any provision of an Act whenever passed relating to an offence punishable on indictment or on summary conviction.

• (6) This paragraph applies to . . . the Water Act 1973 as if they were passed after 1st April 1974.

5

The following definitions shall be treated as included in Schedule 1 for the purposes specified in this paragraph—

• (a) in any Act passed before 1st April 1974, a reference to England includes Berwick upon Tweed and Monmouthshire and, in the case of an Act passed before the Welsh Language Act 1967, Wales;

• (b) in any Act passed before the commencement of this Act and after the year 1850, “land” includes messuages, tenements and hereditaments, houses and buildings of any tenure;

• (c) in any Act passed before the commencement of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975, “the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Acts” means Part II of that Act.

Part II — Subordinate Legislation

6

Sections 4(a), 9 and 19(1), and so much of Schedule 1 as defines the following expressions, namely—

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• England;

• Local land charges register and appropriate local land charges register;

• in relation to Scotland, expressions relating to the police;

• United Kingdom;

• Wales,

apply to subordinate legislation made at any time before the commencement of this Act as they apply to Acts passed at that time.

7

The definition in Schedule 1 of “county court”, in relation to England and Wales, applies to Orders in Council made after the year 1846.

SCHEDULE 3

Amendment or repeal in same Session.

14A

• (1) This section applies where an Act confers a power or a duty on a person to make subordinate legislation except to the extent that—

• (a) the power or duty is exercisable by the Scottish Ministers, or

• (b) the power or duty is exercisable by any other person within devolved competence (within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998).

• (2) The subordinate legislation may include—

• (a) provision requiring the person to review the effectiveness of the legislation within a specified period or at the end of a specified period;

• (b) provision for the legislation to cease to have effect at the end of a specified day or a specified period;

• (c) if the power or duty is being exercised to amend other subordinate legislation, provision of the kind mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) in relation to that other legislation.

• (3) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) includes provision requiring the person to consider whether the objectives which it was the purpose of the legislation to achieve remain appropriate and, if so, whether they could be achieved in another way.

• (4) Subordinate legislation including provision of a kind mentioned in subsection (2) may make such provision generally or only in relation to specified provisions of the legislation or specified cases or circumstances.

• (5) Subordinate legislation including provision of a kind mentioned in subsection (2) may make transitional, consequential, incidental or supplementary provision or savings in connection with such provision.

• (6) In this section, “specified” means specified in the subordinate legislation.

Duplicated offences.

References to certain EU instruments

20A

Where an Act passed after the commencement of this section refers to a EU instrument that has been amended, extended or applied by another such instrument, the reference, unless the contrary intention appears, is a reference to that instrument as so amended, extended or applied.

Application to Acts and Measures.

23A

• (1) This Act applies in relation to an Act of the Scottish Parliament and an instrument made under such an Act only to the extent provided in this section.

• (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) below, sections 15 to 18 apply to—

• (a) an Act of the Scottish Parliament as they apply to an Act,

• (b) an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament as they apply to subordinate legislation.

• (3) In the application of those sections to an Act and to subordinate legislation—

• (a) references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and

• (b) the reference in section 17(2)(b) to subordinate legislation includes an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

• (4) In the application of section 20 to an Act and to subordinate legislation, references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

23B

• (1) The provisions of this Act, except sections 1 to 3, apply to the following as they apply to an Act—

• (a) a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales, and

• (b) an Act of the National Assembly for Wales, other than the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019, which receives Royal Assent before 1 January 2020 (the day on which Part 2 of that Act comes fully into force).

• (2) The provisions of this Act apply to an instrument—

• (a) made under a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, and

• (b) made before 1 January 2020,

as they apply to other subordinate legislation.

• (3) The provisions of this Act apply to an instrument made under an Act of Parliament or retained direct EU legislation, and made by the Welsh Ministers or any other devolved Welsh authority, only if—

• (a) the instrument is made before 1 January 2020,

• (b) the instrument is made (at any time) with any other person who is not a devolved Welsh authority, or

• (c) the instrument contains any provision that applies otherwise than in relation to Wales.

• (4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) limits the operation of sections 12 to 14A in relation to a power or duty to make an instrument to which Part 2 of the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 applies, but section 11 does not apply in relation to such an instrument.

• (5) In the application of this Act to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, references to the passing of an Act or an enactment are to be read as references to the enactment of the Measure or Act.

• (6) In this section, “devolved Welsh authority” , “Welsh zone” and (subject to subsection (7)) “Wales” have the same meanings as in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (see sections 157A and 158 of that Act).

• (7) In relation to a provision that—

• (a) relates to fishing, fisheries or fish health, and

• (b) is contained in an instrument made after section 45 of the Fisheries Act 2020 comes into force,

“Wales” includes the area of the Welsh zone beyond the seaward limit of the territorial sea.

Application to Northern Ireland.

Note: The years or dates which follow certain entries in this Schedule are relevant for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 (application to existing enactments).

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

In relation to England and Wales—

and the terms “indictable”, “summary” and “triable either way”, in their application to offences, are to be construed accordingly.

In the above definitions references to the way or ways in which an offence is triable are to be construed without regard to the effect, if any, of section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 on the mode of trial in a particular case.

Construction of certain references to relationships

In relation to England and Wales—

shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987. [The date of the coming into force of that section]

Construction of certain expressions relating to the police: Scotland

In relation to Scotland—

Editorial notes

[^c11097061]: Act wholly in force at 1.1.1979, see s. 26

[^c11097051]: Act modified (E.W.S.) by Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27, SIF 107:1), s. 144, Sch. 10 para. 19

[^c11097071]: Act: definition of "subordinate legislation" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 219(1), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 paras. 1, 2, Sch. 14 para. 6) Act: definition of "subordinate legislation" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 221(1), 225(1)

[^c11097081]: Act applied (1.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/71, arts. 1(1)(a), 2(2) Act applied (with modifications) (27.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2453, reg. 3 Act applied (1.1.2001) by S.I. 2000/2047, rule 2(2) Act applied (1.7.2001) by S.I. 2000/2048, rules 1, 2(2); Instrument dated 21.6.2001 made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Act applied (27.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/3057, Sch. para. 5(2) Act applied (1.6.2004) by The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Disciplinary Committee) (Procedure and Evidence) Rules Order of Council 2004 (S.I. 2004/1680), art. 2, Sch. rule 2.3

[^c19736941]: Act applied in part (1.3.2007) by The Social Security Investigation Powers (Arrangements with Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/271), reg. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 5

[^c19948371]: Act applied (26.11.2008) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 73(1), 149(2)(a)

[^c11097091]: S. 6(a) excluded (E.W.) by Sexual Offences Act 1985 (c. 44, SIF 39:5), ss. 4(3), 5(5)

[^c11097101]: S. 6(b) excluded (E.W.) by Sexual Offences Act 1985 (c. 44, SIF 39:5), ss. 4(3), 5(5)

[^c11097111]: S. 6(b) excluded (E.W.S.) by Employment Act 1989 (c. 38, SIF 43:1), ss. 5(4)(7), 29(6), Sch. 9 para. 4(1)

[^c11097151]: S. 7 modified (E.W.) (1.7.1995) by 1994 c. 36, s. 17(2)(3) (with s. 20); S.I. 1995/1317, art. 2

[^c18358971]: S. 7 excluded by Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c. 50, SIF 67), s. 77(4) S. 7 excluded (E.W.) by Enduring Powers of Attorney Act 1985 (c. 29, SIF 1), s. 4(3), Sch. 1 Pt. IV para. 8(2) S. 7 excluded by Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64, SIF 39:2), s. 11(5) S. 7 excluded (20.6.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Merger Prenotification) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1369), regs. 5, 11, 12, 13(5) S. 7 excluded (E.W.) (1.7.2005 for certain purposes and 1.8.2005 otherwise) by Serious Organised Crime Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 133(6), 178; S.I. 2005/1521, arts. 3(1)(p), 4(1) S. 7 excluded (E.W.) (1.10.2007) by The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c. 9), ss. 66(3), 68(1), Sch. 4 para. 12 (with ss. 27-29, 62); S.I. 2007/1897, art. 2(1)(d)

[^c11097161]: 1972 c. 6.

[^c19783671]: S. 11 applied (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3144, reg. 1(6)

[^c11097181]: S. 11 excluded (E.W.) (1.9.1997) by S.I. 1997/1972, reg. 2(3)

[^c11097171]: S. 11 applied (30.10.2005) by The Medicines (Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products for Human Use) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2750), regs. 1, 2(3) (with transitional provisions in reg. 12, Sch. 6)

[^c19737451]: S. 11 excluded (S.) (1.8.2007) by The Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/152), reg. 2(2)

[^c19737321]: S. 11 excluded (W.) (31.8.2007) by The Education (Fees and Awards) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2310), reg. 2(2)

[^c21790271]: S. 11 excluded (S.) (1.8.2012) by The Education (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/389), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

[^c11097201]: S. 14 applied (E.W.) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 138(6), 225(2) S. 14 saved (E.W.) (6.3.1992) by School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991 (c. 49, SIF 41:1), s. 2(8); S.I. 1992/532, art. 3

[^c11097211]: S. 14 extended (E.W.) (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 170(5); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3

[^c11097221]: S. 14 excluded (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 25(9), (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2 S. 14 excluded (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 46, s. 115, Sch. 7 para. 5 (with s. 126(3)-(11)) S. 14 excluded (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 26, s. 122(11)

[^c21792411]: S. 14A inserted (25.4.2013) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 59(2), 103(1)(e)

[^c11097291]: S. 16 excluded (E.W.) by Mineral Workings Act 1985 (c. 12, SIF 86), ss. 3(3), 6(2) S. 16 excluded by Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (c. 5, SIF 2:3), s. 99, Sch. 13 paras. 3, 8 S. 16 excluded (S.) (25.9.1991) by Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 55, SIF 2:3), ss. 87, 89(2), Sch. 12 para. 5

[^c11097301]: S. 16 saved (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss.140, 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 paras. 1, 2, Sch. 14 para. 6)

[^c11097311]: S. 16(1) applied (E.) (temp. from 27.11.2001 until 27.7.2002) by S.I. 2001/3576, art. 3(2) S. 16(1) applied (27.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3577, art. 3(2) S. 16(1) applied (27.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3578, art. 3(2)

[^c18367421]: S. 16(1) disapplied (W.) (1.9.2004) by The Conduct of Members (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2289), art. 4 (as inserted by The Conduct of Members (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1510), arts. 1(2), 3)

[^c19737831]: S. 16(1) applied (with modifications) by The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1678), s. 80(3) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with s. 1(2) of the amending S.I.)

[^c19948491]: S. 16(1) applied (W.) (18.4.2008) by The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/788), art. 4(3)

[^c19948441]: S. 16(1) applied by The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2846), Sch. ss. 54(3), 55(5) (the application coming into force in accordance with arts. 1(3), 2(1) of the applying S.I.)

[^c20266661]: S. 16(1) applied (with modifications) by The St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1751), arts. 75(3), 152(3), 217(3) (the amendments coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.)

[^c21790281]: S. 16(1) applied by The Pitcairn Constitution Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/244), arts. 2, 4, Sch. 2 section 41(3) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with arts. 1(2), 2 of the amending S.I.)

[^c21790291]: S. 16(1) applied (11.11.2010) by Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (c. 25), ss. 19, 52, Sch. 2 para. 38; S.I. 2010/2703, art. 2(a)

[^c21790301]: S. 16(1) modified (17.12.2010) by Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (c. 38), ss. 46(4), 55(1) (with s. 44)

[^c18814001]: S. 17 saved (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 140, 223(2)

[^c11097331]: S. 17 excluded (S.) (1.7.2005) by The Cereal Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/328), reg. 28(2) S. 17 excluded (S.) (1.7.2005) by The Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/329), reg. 28(2) S. 17 excluded (W.) (18.11.2005) by The Vegetable Seed (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3035), reg. 32(2) S. 17 excluded (W.) (18.11.2005) by The Cereal Seed (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3036), reg. 32(2) S. 17 excluded (W.) (18.11.2005) by The Beet Seed (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3037), reg. 29(2)

[^c21791631]: S. 17 excluded (S.) (20.4.2010) by The Beet Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/67), regs. 1(1), 25(2) (which amending S.S.I. was revoked by S.S.I. 2010/148, reg. 25(1)) and s. 17 excluded (S.) (20.4.2010) by The Beet Seed (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/148), regs. 1(2), 25(3)

[^c11097341]: S. 17(2) excluded (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 8 Pt. I para. 1(6)(7) S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.S.) (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 17, ss. 44, 46, Sch. 2 Pt. I paras. 1-5 (with s. 38) S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.S.) (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 241, 243, Sch. 2 Pt. I paras. 1-5 (with ss. 191-195, 202) S. 17(2) excluded (21.7.1997) by 1997 c. 22, s. 27, Sch. 2 paras. 1-5; S.I. 1997/1672, art. 2 S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 73(1), 74(1), Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 1(6) S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(2), 55(2), Sch. 4 para. 6 S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165(3), 168(1), Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1(5) S. 17(2) excluded (22.3.2001 with effect in accordance with s. 579(1) of the excluding Act) by 2001 c. 2, s. 579, Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 6 S. 17(2) excluded (24.10.2002) by 2002 c. 24, ss. 14, 18(2), Sch. 2 para. 5 S. 17(2) excluded (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the excluding Act) by The Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 7 para. 6 (subject to Sch. 7) S. 17(2) excluded (6.4.2005 with effect in accordance with s. 883(1)(a)(b) of the excluding Act) by The Income Tax (Trading and other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883, Sch. 2 para. 6(1) S. 17(2) excluded (8.2.2007) by The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c. 36), ss. 124, 126, Sch. 8 para. 5 S. 17(2) excluded (1.3.2007) by The National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 4, 8(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(8) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1) S. 17(2) excluded (1.4.2007) by The Parliamentary Costs Act 2006 (c. 37), ss. 17(7), 19, Sch. 2 para. 6

[^c21791641]: S. 17(2) excluded (E.W.) (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), ss. 354, 355, Sch. 8 para. 5 (with s. 20(2))

[^c21791651]: S. 17(2) excluded (17.7.2012) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), ss. 147, 177, Sch. 17 para. 36(8), Sch. 19 para. 2(8)

[^c11097351]: S. 17(2)(a) excluded by Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c. 50, SIF 67), s. 99(1), Sch. 4 para. 17

[^c11097361]: S. 17(2)(b) excluded (24.7.2002) by 2002 c. 23, s. 20(4)

[^c18367031]: S. 20(2) applied (5.6.2003) by The Immigration (Jersey) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/1797), art. 4(1) (as amended by The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Jersey) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1252), art. 3(a))

[^c18814461]: S. 20(2) excluded (8.7.2003) by National Minimum Wage (Enforcement Notices) Act 2003 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(4)

[^c19948511]: Words in s. 20A heading substituted (1.12.2009) by European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (c. 7), ss. 3, 8, Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 2009/3143, art. 2

[^c19948531]: Words in s. 20A substituted (1.12.2009) by European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (c. 7), ss. 3, 8, Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 2009/3143, art. 2

[^c18370301]: S. 20A inserted (8.1.2007) by Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), ss. 25(1), 33

[^c18370541]: Words in s. 22(1) inserted (8.1.2007) by Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), ss. 25(2), 33

[^c11097371]: S. 23(1)(2) excluded by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), s. 6, Sch. 2 para. 7(2)

[^c11097391]: S. 23(3) excluded by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), s. 144(6) S. 23(3) excluded (6.4.2008 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1160(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(4) (subject to art. 6, Sch. 1); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch. 2 and S.I. 2009/2476, reg. 2(3))

[^c11097401]: 1946 c. 36.

[^c11097411]: 1972 c. 22.

[^c11097421]: 1974 c. 28.

[^c11097431]: S. 23A and sidenote inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(2) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

[^c11097501]: S. 24 extended by Northern Ireland Act 1982 (c. 38, SIF 29:3), s. 6, Sch. 2 para. 7(2)

[^c11097511]: Words substituted by S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12), Sch. 4 para. 25

[^c11097521]: S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12).

[^c18370641]: S. 24(3A) inserted (8.1.2007) by Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), ss. 25(3), 33

[^c11097531]: Words repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(8), Sch. 9

[^c18370671]: Words in s. 24(4) inserted (8.1.2007) by Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), ss. 26(2), 33

[^c11097541]: 1972 c. 22.

[^c11097551]: S. 24(5)(d)-(g) substituted for s. 24(5)(d)(e) (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 99, Sch. 13 para. 3 (with s. 95); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

[^c11097561]: 1973 c.17.

[^c11097571]: 1974 c.28.

[^c11097581]: The text of s. 25(1), Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any repeals or amendments which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991

[^c11097591]: 1889 c. 63.

[^c18819761]: In Sch. 1 definition of "Act" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

[^c18817271]: 1967 c. 4.

[^c18819821]: Sch. 1: definition of "British overseas territory" inserted (26.2.2002) by 2002 c. 8, s. 1(3)

[^c18817281]: Entry repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(8), Sch. 9

[^c18817301]: Words substituted by Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(1), Sch. 6 para. 19

[^c21792141]: Sch. 1: definition of "Charity Commission" substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), ss. 354, 355, Sch. 7 para. 35 (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

[^c18817321]: 1947 C.A.M. No. 2.

[^c18823871]: In Sch. 1 definition of "civil partnership" inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263(10), Sch. 27 para. 59; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)

[^c21792271]: Sch. 1: words repealed (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 41, 332, 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 49(a), Sch. 37 Pt. 4; S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(d)(2)(3) (with art. 5); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(c)(d)(2)(3), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(d)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)

[^c18817371]: Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 169(a)

[^c18817391]: Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), s. 170(2), Sch. 6 para. 56(a)

[^c18820341]: In Sch. 1 in paragraph (b) of definition of "committed for trial" words repealed (1.4.2005) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 86, 87, Sch. 13; S.R. 2005/109, art. 2, Sch.

[^c22717901]: Words in Sch. 1 repealed (1.4.2012) by Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 (c. 4), s. 29, Sch. 5 para. 12; S.I. 2011/2576, art. 5

[^c18817461]: 1968 c. 18.

[^c18817471]: Definition substituted by Finance Act 1987 (c. 16, SIF 63:1), ss. 2(8), 71, Sch. 15 para. 12

[^c18817481]: Words substituted by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 148(1), Sch. 2 Pt. V para. 68

[^c18817511]: Words substituted by S.I. 1980/397 (N.I. 3), Sch. 1 Pt. II

[^c18824031]: In Sch. 1 definition of "Court of Judicature" inserted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 24(b); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

[^c18817521]: 1971 c. 23.

[^c18817531]: 1978 c. 23.

[^c18817541]: 1961 c. 55.

[^c18819771]: In Sch. 1 definition of "enactment" inserted (1.7.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 16(3) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2

[^c18817551]: 1972 c. 70.

[^c18823681]: In Sch. 1 definition of "Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs" inserted (7.4.2005 at 5.45 p.m.) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 4(3), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2

[^c18823951]: In Sch. 1 definition of "the immigration acts" inserted (30.3.2006) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), s. 64(4)

[^c19738011]: Sch. 1: words in definition of "The Immigration Acts" substituted (30.10.2007) by UK Borders Act 2007 (c. 30), ss. 59(2), 61(4)

[^c18817561]: 1845 c. 18.

[^c18817571]: 1860 c. 106.

[^c18817581]: 1845 c. 19.

[^c18817601]: 1860 c. 106.

[^c18817651]: 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

[^c18817661]: 1975 c. 76.

[^c21792041]: Sch. 1: definition inserted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), ss. 97(2), 157(1); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

[^c18817681]: 1963 c. 33.

[^c18817691]: 1972 c. 70.

[^c19783681]: Sch. 1: words in definition of "London borough" substituted (1.11.2007 with application as mentioned in art. 1(1) of the commencing S.I.) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 22, 245, Sch. 1 para. 14; S.I. 2007/3136, art. 2 (subject to art. 3)

[^c18817711]: Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 169(b)

[^c18817721]: Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), s. 170(2), Sch. 6 para. 56(b)

[^c19738671]: Sch. 1: definition of "Officer of a provider of probation services" inserted (1.4.2008) by Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21), ss. 39, 41(1), Sch. 3 para. 2; S.I. 2008/504, art. 3(k)(l)

[^c18823671]: In Sch. 1 definition of "Officer of Revenue and Customs" inserted (7.4.2005 at 5.45 p.m.) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 2(7), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2

[^c18817731]: 1841 c. 30.

[^c18817741]: 1854 c. 17.

[^c18820141]: In Sch. 1 definitions of "PAYE income" and "PAYE regulations" inserted (6.4.2003 with effect as mentioned in s. 723(1)(a)(b) of amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), ss. 722, 723, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 para. 148 (subject to Sch. 7)

[^c22717921]: Words in Sch. 1 inserted (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 97(3), 157(1); S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(a)