# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 48.16: Magistrates’ courts’ powers to adjourn, etc.

Extent: E+W

(1) This rule applies where a magistrates’ court deals with unauthorised disclosure of prosecution material under sections 17 and 18 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.
(2) The sections of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 listed in paragraph (3) apply as if in those sections—
(a) ‘complaint’ and ‘summons’ each referred to an application or written statement under rule 48.9;
(b) ‘complainant’ meant an applicant; and
(c) ‘defendant’ meant the respondent.
(3) Those sections are—
(a) section 51 (issue of summons on complaint);
(b) section 54 (adjournment);
(c) section 55 (non-appearance of defendant);
(d) section 97(1) (summons to witness);
(e) section 121(1) (constitution and place of sitting of court); and
(f) section 123 (defect in process).
(4) Section 127 of the 1980 Act (limitation of time) does not apply.
[Note. Under section 19(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, Criminal Procedure Rules may contain provisions equivalent to those contained in Schedule 3 to the Contempt of Court Act 1981 (which allows magistrates’ courts in cases of contempt of court to use certain powers such courts possess in other cases).]

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/48.16 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-48.16/enacted
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.