{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/justices-of-the-peace-act-1979-repealed-1961997/section-4",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/justices-of-the-peace-act-1979-repealed-1961997/section-4.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1979/55",
  "legislation_title": "Justices of the Peace Act 1979 (repealed 19.6.1997)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/justices-of-the-peace-act-1979-repealed-1961997",
  "path": "section/4",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "4",
  "heading": "Petty sessions areas.",
  "text": "(1) The following areas outside Greater London are petty sessions areas, that is to say—\n(a) every non-metropolitan county which is not divided into petty sessional divisions;\n(b) every petty sessional division of a non-metropolitan county;\n(c) every metropolitan district which is not divided into petty sessional divisions; and\n(d) every petty sessional division of a metropolitan district.\n(1A) In subsection (1) above, any reference to a non-metropolitan county is to be construed , in relation to England, as a reference to a relevant area and, in relation to Wales, as a reference to a preserved county.\n(2) In the following provisions of this Act “petty sessions area” means any of the following, that is to say—\n(a) any of the areas outside Greater London specified in subsection (1) above;\n(b) the inner London area if it is not divided into petty sessional divisions;\n(c) any petty sessional division of the inner London area;\n(d) any outer London borough which is not divided into petty sessional divisions;\n(e) any petty sessional division of an outer London borough; and\n(f) the City of London.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 4(1A) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 10(2); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 3, Sch.1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 4(1A) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/674, reg. 2, Sch. Pt. I para. 1(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 4(2)(b)–(f) substituted for paras. (b)-(d) by Local Government Act 1985 (c.51, SIF 81:1), s. 12(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Power to amend s. 4 conferred (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, s. 55(3)(b)."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/55/section/4",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:17:01.284091+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}