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Interpretation Act 1978

Type Public General Act
Publication 1978-07-20
Last updated 2022-04-28
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
101

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)

104

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)

105

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

108

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)

111

In Sch. 1 in definition of "police area" words substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 32

114

Sch. 1: definitions of "Police Service of Northern Ireland" and "Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve" inserted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 74, Sch. 6, para. 5; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

115

Sch. 1: definition of "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)

116

Sch. 1: definition of "registered medical practitioner" substituted by S.I. 2002/3135, art. 16(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 2) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.I.)

117

Sch. 1: definition of "registered provider of social housing" inserted (1.4.2010) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 277, 325(1), Sch. 9 para. 5; S.I. 2010/862, arts. 1(2), 2 (subject to Sch.); and definition of "registered provider of social housing" and "private registered provider of social housing" immediately substituted (1.4.2010) for that definition by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration of Local Authorities) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/844), arts. 1(2), 6, Sch. 2 para. 1

118

In Sch. 1 definition of "Senior Courts" 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

119

In Sch. 1 definition of "sent for trial" inserted (9.5.2005 for specified purposes, 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, 336(3), Sch. 3 Pt. 2 para. 49(b); S.I. 2005/1267, art. 2, Sch. Pt. 1 para. 1(1)(h); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(c)(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)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)

126

In Sch. 1 definition of "Supreme Court" substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 24(a); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

128

In Sch. 1 definitions of "trust of land" and "trustees of land" inserted (E.W.) (1.1.1997) by 1996 c. 47, s. 25(1), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with ss. 24(2), 25(4)(5)); S.I. 1996/2974, art. 2

129

Definition of "Wales" in Sch. 1 substituted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 9 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 para. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 3, Sch. 1

132

Entry repealed (E.W) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108 (6)(7) (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)) Sch.15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

133

Entry repealed (E.W.) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(6)(7), Sch.15 (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

138

Sch. 1 excluded in part (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the excluding Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 721(6)(b) (subject to Sch. 7)

144

Words in Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 4(6) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, s. 5, Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)

150

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

151

Words in Sch. 1 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 94; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

153

Words in Sch. 1 substituted (12.4.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 34(a) (with Sch. 5 Pt. 4)

154

Words in Sch. 1 omitted (12.4.2015) by virtue of Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 34(b) (with Sch. 5 Pt. 4)

170

S. 17(2) excluded (with effect and application in accordance with Sch. 1 paras. 120, 123(1)-(6) of the excluding Act) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 123(7)

172

Ss. 23B, 23C substituted (E.W.) (11.9.2019) for s. 23B by Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (anaw 4), s. 44(1)(e), Sch. 2 para. 1

173

Words in s. 23B(1)(b) substituted (E.W.) (11.10.2019) by The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1333), arts. 1(2), 4(a)

174

Words in s. 23B(2)(b) substituted (E.W.) (11.10.2019) by The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1333), arts. 1(2), 4(b)

175

Words in s. 23B(3)(a) substituted (E.W.) (11.10.2019) by The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1333), arts. 1(2), 4(b)

183

S. 16(1) applied (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 87(1), 88(2)

201

Words in Sch. 1 inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 39(2) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

202

Words in Sch. 1 substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 39(3) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

231

S. 23B(7) inserted (23.1.2021) by Fisheries Act 2020 (c. 22), ss. 46(3), 54(2) (with Sch. 4 para. 31)

232

Words in s. 23B(6) substituted (23.1.2021) by Fisheries Act 2020 (c. 22), ss. 46(2), 54(2) (with Sch. 4 para. 31)

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.

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.

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.

Application to other instruments.

Repeals and savings.

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.

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.

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.

Application to Acts and Measures.

Retained direct EU legislation

Application to Northern Ireland.

Repeals and savings.

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 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.

23ZA
  • (1) The provisions of this Act (except sections 1 to 4, 13 and 19(2)) apply, so far as applicable and unless the contrary intention appears, to any retained direct EU legislation so far as it—
  • (a) is amended by an Act, subordinate legislation or devolution legislation, and
  • (b) is not subordinate legislation,

as they apply to an Act passed at the corresponding time.

  • (2) In their application by virtue of subsection (1)—
  • (a) section 10 has effect as if the reference to the passing of the Act were a reference to the corresponding time,
  • (b) section 11 has effect as if the second reference to an Act included a reference to the retained direct EU legislation so far as unamended (as well as a reference to that legislation so far as amended), and
  • (c) section 16(1) has effect as if the reference to the repealing Act not being passed were a reference to the repeal not having been made.
  • (3) References in this Act to the repeal of an enactment are to be read, in the case of an enactment which is retained direct EU legislation, as references to the revocation of the enactment.
  • (4) In Schedule 1—
  • (a) in the definition of “Commencement”, the references to an enactment do not include any retained direct EU legislation other than—
  • (i) any such legislation to which subsection (1) applies, ...
  • (ia) any instrument 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, or
  • (ii) any instrument , not falling within sub-paragraph (ia), made on or after IP completion day under any retained direct EU legislation, and
  • (b) in the definitions of “The Corporation Tax Acts” and “The Income Tax Acts”, the references to an enactment do not include any retained direct EU legislation.
  • (5) For the application of this Act to retained direct EU legislation which is subordinate legislation, see section 23(1) and (2).
  • (6) In this section—
  • “corresponding time” means the time when the amending Act, subordinate legislation or devolution legislation was passed or (as the case may be) made, and
  • “devolution legislation” means—an Act of the Scottish Parliament,a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales,Northern Ireland legislation (for the meaning of which see section 24(5)), oran instrument made under anything falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

Definitions relating to the EU and the United Kingdom's withdrawal

23C
  • (1) In this Act, references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in—
  • (a) a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales,
  • (b) an Act of the National Assembly for Wales (whenever the Act receives Royal Assent),
  • (c) an instrument made under such an Act or Measure (whenever the instrument is made), or
  • (d) 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 (whenever the instrument is made, and whether or not it is made with any other person),

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