Magistrates' Courts Act 1980

The Magistrates' Courts Act 1980^[a] (c. 43) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a consolidation act.^[1] It codifies the procedures applicable in the magistrates' courts of England and Wales and largely replaces the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 (15 & 16 Geo. 6 & 1 Eliz. 2. c. 55). Part I of the act sets out provisions in relation to the courts' criminal jurisdiction, and Part II in relation to civil proceedings.

Long titleAn Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the jurisdiction of, and the practice and procedure before, magistrates' courts and the functions of justices' clerks, and to matters connected therewith, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.

Citation1980 c. 43

Territorial extent

• England and Wales
• Scotland (in part)
• Northern Ireland (in part)

^[b]

Royal assent1 August 1980

Quick facts Long title, Citation ...

Magistrates' Courts Act 1980^[a]

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the jurisdiction of, and the practice and procedure before, magistrates' courts and the functions of justices' clerks, and to matters connected therewith, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
Citation	1980 c. 43
Territorial extent	England and Wales Scotland (in part) Northern Ireland (in part) [b]
Dates
Royal assent	1 August 1980
Commencement	6 July 1981[c]
Other legislation
Amends	Disorderly Houses Act 1751 Statutory Declarations Act 1835 Deeds of Arrangement Act 1914 Sexual Offences Act 1956 Criminal Justice Act 1967 Theft Act 1968 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Immigration Act 1971 Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 Theft Act 1978
Amended by	List Criminal Attempts Act 1981 Aviation Security Act 1982 Mental Health Act 1983 Food Act 1984 Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 Football Spectators Act 1989 Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992 Criminal Justice Act 1993 Football (Disorder) Act 2000 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 Space Industry Act 2018
Relates to	Senior Courts Act 1981
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended
Text of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Close

Section 1 of the act empowers a justice of the peace to issue a summons or arrest warrant alleging the commission of a crime against an identifiable person. Section 127 of the act establishes a six-month limitation period for summary (but not indictable) offences.