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Senior Courts Act 1981

Type Public General Act
Publication 1981-07-28
Last updated 2025-08-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (b) want of sufficient goods to satisfy such a sum,

the High Court may deal with the person for the default or want of sufficient goods in any way in which the magistrates’ court or Crown Court would have power to deal with him if it were dealing with him at the time when the committal is quashed.

  • (2) If the High Court commits him to prison or detention, the period of imprisonment or detention shall, unless the High Court otherwise directs, be treated as having begun when the person was committed by the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court (except that any time during which he was released on bail shall not be counted as part of the period).
  • (3) In subsection (1) references to want of sufficient goods to satisfy a sum are references to circumstances where—
  • (a) there is power to use the procedure in Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 to recover the sum from a person, but
  • (b) it appears, after an attempt has been made to exercise the power, that the person's goods are insufficient to pay the amount outstanding (as defined by paragraph 50(3) of that Schedule).
43A

In any cause or matter proceeding in the High Court in connection with any contract incorporating an arbitration agreement which confers specific powers upon the arbitrator, the High Court may, if all parties to the agreement agree, exercise any such powers.

Other provisions

The Crown Court

46A
  • (1) Sections 280, 281 and 282 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (offences on ships and abroad by British citizens and others) apply in relation to other offences under the law of England and Wales as they apply in relation to offences under that Act or instruments under that Act.

General Provisions

Law and equity

Costs

The Court of Appeal

Distribution of business

Composition of court

56A

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56B
  • (1) The appeals or classes of appeals suitable for allocation to a court of the criminal division of the Court of Appeal in which a Circuit judge is acting under section 9 shall be determined in accordance with directions given by or on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice after consulting the Lord Chancellor.
  • (2) In subsection (1) “appeal” includes the hearing of, or any application in proceedings incidental or preliminary to, an appeal.

Sittings and vacations

Other provisions

The High Court

Distribution of business

Divisional courts

Mode of conducting business

Sittings and vacations

Other provisions

The Crown Court

Composition of court

Distribution of business

Sittings

Other provisions

Rules of Court

86A
  • (1) Crown Court rules must be submitted to the Lord Chancellor after being made by the Lord Chief Justice
  • (2) The Lord Chancellor may allow or disallow rules so made.
  • (3) If the Lord Chancellor disallows rules, he must give the Lord Chief Justice written reasons for doing so.
  • (4) Rules so made and allowed by the Lord Chancellor—
  • (a) come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor directs, and
  • (b) are to be contained in a statutory instrument to which the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 applies as if the instrument contained rules made by a Minister of the Crown.
  • (5) A statutory instrument containing Crown Court rules is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
  • (6) In this section and section 86B “Crown Court rules” means rules of court made under section 84.
86B
  • (1) This section applies if the Lord Chancellor gives the Lord Chief Justice written notice that he thinks it is expedient for Crown Court rules to include provision that would achieve a purpose specified in the notice.
  • (2) The Lord Chief Justice must make such Crown Court rules as the Lord Chief Justice considers necessary to achieve the specified purpose.
  • (3) Those rules must be—
  • (a) made within a reasonable period after the Lord Chancellor gives notice to the Lord Chief Justice;
  • (b) made in accordance with section 86A.
138A

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138B

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Appointment of judges of Senior Courts.

Tenure of office of judges of Senior Courts.

References in this Schedule to a person having a general qualification shall be construed in accordance with section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

References in this Schedule to a person having a general qualification shall be construed in accordance with section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

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In section 10(1), for the definition of “matrimonial cause” substitute—

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2

In section 87(2) for “penalty” substitute “ sum ”.

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Editorial notes

1

For extent see s. 153(4)(5)

2

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53 SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para.23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

4

Words in s. 1 and side-note substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

5

Words in s. 1 cross-heading substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

6

S. 2(1) amended by virtue of S.I. 1983/1705, art. 2, 1987/2059, art. 2 (maximum number of ordinary judges prescribed by s. 2(1) increased from 18 to 28) S. 2(1) amended (11.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/605, art.2 (maximum number of ordinary judges prescribed by s. 2(1) increased to 29) S. 2(1) amended (15.12.1994) by S.I. 1994/3217, art.3 (maximum number of ordinary judges prescribed by s. 2(1) increased to 32) S. 2(1) amended (25.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/1142, art.2 (maximum number of ordinary judges prescribed by s. 2(1) increased to 35) S. 2(1) amended (21.11.2002) by The Maximum Number of Judges Order (S.I. 2002/2837), {art.2} (maximum number of ordinary judges prescribed by s. 2(1) increased to 37)

7

Ss. 2(1), 4(1), 12(1)-(6) modified (9.11.1998) by 1998 c. 42, s. 18(4)(a) (with ss. 7(8), 22(5)) S. 2(1) modified (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 68(3)(c), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2))

10

Words in s. 2(2)(c) substituted (1.10.2009) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 145, 148, Sch. 17 para. 22(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(e)

11

S. 2(2)(f)-(h) substituted (1.10.2005) for s. 2(2)(f)(g) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148, Sch. 4 para. 115(2)(c); S.I. 2005/2505, art. 2(c)

14

S. 2(3) substituted (26.1.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 63(1), 110; S.I. 2003/3345, art. 2(a)(ii)

20

Ss. 2(1), 4(1), 12(1)-(6) modified (9.11.1998) by 1998 c. 42, ss. 18(4)(a), 22(2) (with ss. 7(8), 22(5)) S. 4(1) modified (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, s. 68(3)(c), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2))

22

S. 4(1)(ba)-(d) substituted (1.10.2005) for s. 4(1)(c)(d) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148, Sch. 4 para. 117(2)(b); S.I. 2005/2505, art. 2(c)

24

S. 4(1)(ddd) inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 69(2)(a), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2))

29

Words in s. 4(6) inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 69(2)(b), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2))

31

Words in s. 5(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2005) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148, Sch. 4 para. 118(3); S.I. 2005/2505, art. 2(c)

32

Words in s. 5(1)(b) inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 69(3), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2))

43

S. 9 restricted (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 26(7)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2(2), 3(2), 4); S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

44

Words in s. 9(1) inserted (11.1.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 52(2)(a); S.I. 1994/3258, art.2.

45

Words in the Table in s. 9(1) inserted (11.1.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 52(2)(b); S.I. 1994/3258, art.2.

47

Words in s. 9(1) inserted (11.1.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 52(2)(c); S.I. 1994/3258, art.2.

48

S. 9(1A) inserted (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 26, Sch. 6 para. 5(1) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2(2), 3(2), 4); S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

49

S. 9(2): definition of "the appropriate authority" substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148, Sch. 4 para. 121(2)(a); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(l)

55

S. 9(4A) inserted (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 26, Sch. 6 para. 5(2) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2(2), 3(2), 4); S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

56

Words in s. 9(5) substituted (11.1.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 52(4); S.I. 1994/3258, art.2.

57

S. 9(6)(b) substituted (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 26, Sch. 6 para. 5(3) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2(2), 3(2), 4); S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

58

S. 9(6A) inserted (11.1.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 52(5); S.I. 1994/3258, art.2.

59

Words in s. 9(6A) inserted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 260; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

62

S. 9(7) repealed (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 31(4), Sch.9; S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

64

Words in s. 10 sidenote substituted (1.10.2009) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

68

Words in s. 10(3)(a) substituted (1.10.2005) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148, Sch. 4 para. 122(4); S.I. 2005/2505, art. 2(c)

73

Words in s. 11 and sidenote substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

79

Words in s. 12 and sidenote substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

80

Ss. 2(1), 4(1), 12(1)-(6) modified (9.11.1998) by 1998 c. 42, ss. 18(4)(a), 22(2) (with ss. 7(8), 22(5)) S. 12(1)-(6) modified (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 68(3)(a), 108(3)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)).

83

Words in s. 12(7) inserted (31.3.1995) by 1993 c. 8, s. 31(3), Sch. 8 para. 15(1); S.I. 1995/631, art.2.

98

Words in s. 16(1) inserted (2.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1071, art. 7

106

S. 20 extended (Guernsey) (1.12.1993) (with modifications) by S.I. 1993/2664, art. 3, Sch.

107

S. 20(2)(j) substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of 1994 c. 28, s. 1(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(2); S.I. 1994/2971, art. 2, Sch.

109

Words in s. 20(3)(a) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(a)(i) (with s. 312(1))

110

Words in s. 20(3)(c) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(a)(ii) (with s. 312(1))

111

Words in s. 20(5)(a) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(b)(i) (with s. 312(1))

112

Words in s. 20(5)(b) substituted (1.1.1996) by virtue of 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(b)(ii) (with s. 312(1))

113

Words after "1992" inserted (coming into force in accordance with with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) (Supplementary Fund Protocol) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1265), art. 13

114

S. 20(6) substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of 1994 c. 28, s. 1(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(3); S.I. 1994/2971, art. 2, Sch.

115

Words in s. 20(6)(a) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(c) (with s. 312(1))

116

Words in s. 20(7) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(2)(d) (with s. 312(1))

117

S. 21 extended (Guernsey) (1.12.1993) (with modifications) by S.I. 1993/2664, art. 3,Sch.

118

S. 22 extended (Guernsey) (1.12.1993) (with modifications) by S.I. 1993/2664, art. 3,Sch.

119

S. 23 extended (Guernsey) (1.12.1993) (with modifications) by S.I. 1993/2664, art. 3,Sch.

120

S. 24 extended (Guernsey) (1.12.1993) (with modifications) by S.I. 1993/2664, art. 3, Sch.

121

Words in definition of “collision regulations” in s. 24(1) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(3)(a)(i) (with s. 312(1))

122

Words in s. 24(1) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(3)(a)(ii) (with s. 312(1))

124

Words in s. 24(2)(b) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 59(3)(b) (with s. 312(1))

128

Words in s. 28(2)(b) repealed (1.9.2007) by Gambling Act 2005 (c. 19), ss. 356, 358, Sch. 17; S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4) (with Sch. 4)

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