A Registrar may, in respect of any offence other than a category 4 offence, exercise the power under subsection (1) if the prosecutor and the defendant consent to the amendment.

6 Section 146 amended (Withdrawal of charge)

After section 146(2), insert:

(3)

A Registrar may, in respect of any offence other than a category 4 offence, exercise the power under subsection (1) if the defendant consents to the prosecutor withdrawing the charge.

7 New section 362A inserted (Jurisdiction of Justices and Community Magistrates relating to amendment or withdrawal of charges)

After section 362, insert:

362A Jurisdiction of Justices and Community Magistrates relating to amendment or withdrawal of charges

(1)

A presiding Justice or Community Magistrate (as the case may be) may exercise the power specified in—

(a)

section 133 (amendment of charge) if the prosecutor and the defendant consent to the amendment:

(b)

section 146 (withdrawal of charge) if the defendant consents to the prosecutor withdrawing the charge.

(2)

This section applies to category 1, 2, and 3 offences, but not to category 4 offences.

(3)

Nothing in this section applies when the District Court presided over by 1 or more Justices or 1 or more Community Magistrates is exercising jurisdiction in accordance with section 355 or 356.

8 Section 365 repealed (Contempt of court)

Repeal section 365.

Legislative history

14 September 2016		Divided from Judicature Modernisation Bill (Bill 178–2) as Bill 178–3N
11 October 2016		Third reading
17 October 2016		Royal assent

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.