Section 3 Punishment for disobedience to witness order or witness summons.
England and Wales
Any person who without just excuse disobeys a F1. . . witness summons requiring him to attend before any court shall be guilty of contempt of that court and may be punished summarily by that court as if his contempt had been committed in the face of the court.
Any person who without just excuse disobeys a requirement made by any court under section 2A above shall be guilty of contempt of that court and may be punished summarily by that court as if his contempt had been committed in the face of the court.
No person shall by reason of F3any disobedience mentioned in subsection (1) or (1A) above be liable to imprisonment for a period exceeding three months.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in s. 3(1) repealed (4.7.1996) by 1996 c. 25, s. 65(2)(a), (4), 80, Sch. 5 para. 2 (with s 78(1))
- F2
S. 3(1A) inserted (4.7.1996) by 1996 c. 25, s. 66(3)(7) (with s 78(1))
- F3
Words in s. 3(2) substituted (4.7.1996) by 1996 c. 25, s. 66(4)(7) (with s 78(1))
- F4
Ss. 3(3), 5, 6, 7(1) repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV
Notes on the whole Act
Textual amendments
- F1
Act amended (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38, SIF 39:1), s. 5(8)
Notes on Other provisions
Textual amendments
- F1
Ss. 2-2E, the cross heading before s. 2, the cross heading before s. 2D and the cross heading following s. 2E substituted (4.7.1996 with effect at 1.4.1999 as appointed day by S.I. 1999/718) for s. 2 by 1996 c. 25, s. 66(2)(7) (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1999/718, art. 2