# The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025, Article 127: Time limit for prosecutions

Extent: E+W

(1) Proceedings in respect of an offence under any provision in this Order must commence within 12 months after the offence was committed.
(2) In the case of any proceedings under the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, in connection with offences under this Order, the time limit specified in paragraph (1) is substituted for any time limitation under that Act.
(3) For the purpose of this article, the laying of an information is deemed to be the commencement of proceedings.
(4) A magistrates’ court may extend the time limit under paragraph (1) but not exceeding 24 months after the offence was committed if it is satisfied, on application by a constable or Crown Prosecutor, that—
(a) there are exceptional circumstances which justify the granting of the application, and
(b) there has been no undue delay in the investigation of the offence to which the application relates.
(5) If a magistrates’ court acts under paragraph (4), it may also make an order under paragraph (6) if it is satisfied, on an application by a constable or Crown Prosecutor, that documents retained by the registration officer in pursuance of rule 70 of Schedule 5 (retention and destruction of documents forwarded to relevant registration officer) may provide evidence relating to the offence.
(6) An order under this paragraph is an order—
(a) directing the registration officer not to cause the documents to be destroyed at the expiry of the period of 1 year mentioned in rule 70 of Schedule 5, and
(b) extending the period of retention by a further period not exceeding 12 months, as specified in the order.
(7) The making of an order under paragraph (6) does not affect any other power to require the retention of the documents.
(8) An application under this article must be made no later than 12 months after the offence was committed.
(9) A party to an application under paragraph (4) or (5) who is aggrieved by the refusal of the magistrates’ court to act or make an order, may appeal to the Crown Court.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2025/864/article/127 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/senedd-cymru-representation-of-the-people-order-2025/article-127
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.