# The Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, Article 55: Extension of time for bringing summary proceedings

Extent: N.I.

(1) Summary proceedings for an offence under this Order other than such an offence which is also triable upon indictment by virtue of Article 52(5) may be commenced at any time within the period of three years from the commission of the offence or within the period of twelve months from the date on which evidence sufficient to justify a prosecution for the offence comes to the knowledge of the Department, whichever period first expires.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) a certificate purporting to be signed by the Head of the Department or a secretary or assistant secretary of the Department as to the date on which such evidence came to the knowledge of the Department shall be prima facie evidence of that fact.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1981/1115/article/55 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/diseases-of-animals-northern-ireland-order-1981/article-55
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.