Section 19 Prosecutions and evidence.

United Kingdom

(1)

Proceedings shall not be instituted—

(a)

in England and Wales for an offence under section 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 F1,18 or 18A ] above or Schedule 7 to this Act except by or with the consent of the Attorney General; or

F2(aa)

in England and Wales for an offence under section 13A, F313B,16A F416B or 16D or under Schedule 6A except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;

(b)

in Northern Ireland for an offence under section 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 ,18 or 18A above or Schedule 7 to this Act except by or with the consent of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

(2)

Any document purporting to be an order, notice or direction made or given by the Secretary of State for the purposes of any provision of this Act and to be signed by him or on his behalf shall be received in evidence, and shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be made or given by him.

(3)

A document bearing a certificate purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and stating that the document is a true copy of such an order, notice or direction shall, in any legal proceedings, be evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence, of the order, notice or direction.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 19(1) substituted (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 36, s. 79(13), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 15; S.I. 1994/700, arts. 2, 3, Sch.
F2: S. 19(1)(aa) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 33, ss. 168(2), 172(6), Sch. 10 para. 63(3)
F3: Words inserted in s. 19(1)(aa) (3.4.1996) by 1996 c. 7, s. 6(a)
F4: Words in s. 19(1)(aa) substituted (3.4.1996) by 1996 c. 7, s. 6(b)

Notes on the whole Act

Textual amendments

F1: Act repealed (19.2.2001) by 2000 c. 11, ss. 2(1)(a), 125, Sch. 16 Pt I (with s. 129(1); S.I. 2001/421, art. 2