89 Compensation.
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Propose a changeLaw
Criminal Justice Act 1988
United Kingdom · statute
Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown
In force since 2026-07-08, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
sha256 3c01041da7f19a8882eefd640f9f859fafde7efd9e79318253a465f910862ec3
Contents: 190 provisions
- Title and introductory text
- 1 Scope of Part I.
- 22 Suppression of terrorism.
- 23 First-hand hearsay.
- 24 Business etc. documents.
- 25 Principles to be followed by court.
- 26 Statements in documents that appear to have been prepared for purposes of criminal proceedings or investigations.
- 27 Proof of statements contained in documents.
- 28 Documentary evidence— supplementary.
- 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 30 Expert reports.
- 31 Form of evidence and glossaries.
- 32 Evidence through television links when witness abroad: service courts.
- 32A Video recordings of testimony from child witnesses.
- 33 Evidence of persons under 14 in committal proceedings.
- 33A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 34 Abolition of requirement of corroboration for unsworn evidence of children.
- 34A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 35 Scope of Part IV.
- 36 Reviews of sentencing.
- 37 Certain either way offences relating to motor vehicles to be summary offences.
- 38 Criminal damage etc. as summary offences.
- 39 Common assault and battery to be summary offences.
- 39A Time limit for prosecution of common assault or battery in domestic abuse cases
- 40 Power to join in indictment count for common assault etc.
- 41 Power of Crown Court to deal with summary offence where person committed for either way offence.
- 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 43 Power of Court of Appeal to order retrial.
- 44 Firearms offences.
- 45 Increase in maximum term of imprisonment for cruelty to children and young persons.
- 46 Maximum term of imprisonment on summary conviction under Prevention of Crime Act 1953 and maximum fine under Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959.
- 47 Corruption.
- 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 49 Repeal of s.134 of Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
- 50 Suspended and partly suspended sentences on certain civilians in courts-martial and Standing Civilian Courts.
- 51 Statutory maximum as penalty on summary conviction for offences triable either way in subordinate legislation.
- 52 Penalties on conviction for summary offences under subordinate legislation— conversion of references to amounts to references to levels on scale.
- 53 Powers to specify maximum fines for summary offences under subordinate instruments— conversion of references to amounts to references to levels on scale—England and Wales.
- 54 Fines on summary conviction for offences under subordinate instruments— conversion to references to levels on scale—Scotland.
- 55 Fines under secondary subordinate instruments— England and Wales.
- 56 Fines under secondary subordinate instruments: Scotland.
- 57 Powers of harbour authorities to provide for maximum fines up to level 4 on standard scale.
- 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 59 Power to alter exceptionally high maximum fines.
- 60 Periods of imprisonment for default.
- 61 Default – procedure.
- 62 Fines on companies.
- 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 64 Increase of maximum fine under s.32 of the Game Act 1831.
- 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 66 Fisheries offences on River Tweed.
- 67 Fines imposed and recognizances forfeited by coroners.
- 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 70 Forfeiture for drug offences.
- 71 Confiscation orders.
- 72 - Making of confiscation orders.
- 72A Postponed determinations.
- 72AA Confiscation relating to a course of criminal conduct.
- 73 Statements, etc. relevant to making confiscation orders.
- 73A Provision of information by defendant.
- 74 Definition of principal terms used.
- 74A Review of cases where proceeds of crime not assessed.
- 74B Revision of assessment of proceeds of crime.
- 74C Revision of assessment of amount to be recovered.
- 75 Application of procedure for enforcing fines.
- 75A Interest on sums unpaid under confiscation orders.
- 76 Cases in which restraint orders and charging orders may be made.
- 77 Restraint orders.
- 78 Charging orders in respect of land, securities, etc.
- 79 Charging orders: supplementary provisions.
- 80 Realisation of property.
- 81 Application of proceeds of realisation and other sums.
- 82 Exercise of powers by High Court or receiver.
- 83 Variation of confiscation orders.
- 84 Bankruptcy of defendant etc.
- 85 Sequestration in Scotland of defendant etc.
- 86 Winding up of company holding realisable property.
- 87 Insolvency officers dealing with property subject to restraint order.
- 88 Receivers: supplementary provisions.
- 89 Compensation.
- 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 93A Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct.
- 93B Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct.
- 93C Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct.
- 93D Tipping-off.
- 93E Application of sections 93A to 93D to Scotland.
- 93F Prosecution by order of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.
- 93G Extension of certain offences to Crown servants and exemptions for regulators etc.
- 93H Order to make material available.
- 93I Authority for search.
- 93J Disclosure of information held by government departments.
- 94 Enforcement of Northern Ireland orders.
- 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 96 Enforcement of other external orders.
- 97 Registration of external confiscation orders.
- 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 99 Authorisation of delay in notifying arrest etc.
- 100 Power to inspect Land Register, etc.
- 101 Abolition of power to make criminal bankruptcy order.
- 102 Part VI— Interpretation.
- 103 Amendments of Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987.
- 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 106 Discretion of Crown Court to specify extended period of imprisonment in default of payment of compensation.
- 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 118 Abolition of peremptory challenge.
- 119 Persons aged between 65 and 70 to be eligible as jurors.
- 120 Discretionary deferral of jury service.
- 121 Continuation of trials for murder on death or discharge of juror.
- 122 Autrefois acquit and autrefois convict.
- 123 Custodial sentences for young offenders.
- 124 Detention of young offenders in Scotland.
- 125 Abolition of power of court to commit juvenile to remand centre instead of local authority care. 1969 c. 54.
- 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 130 Computation of sentence—time passed in care of local authority in accommodation provided for restricting liberty. 1967 c. 80.
- 131 Bail: hostel conditions.
- 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 133 Compensation for miscarriages of justice.
- 133A Miscarriages of justice: amount of compensation
- 133B Cases where person has been detained for at least 10 years
- 134 Torture.
- 135 Requirement of Attorney General’s consent for prosecutions.
- 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 138 Application to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and colonies.
- 139 Offence of having article with blade or point in public place.
- 139A Offence of having article with blade or point (or offensive weapon) on education premises.
- 139AZA Offences under sections 139 and 139A: previous relevant convictions
- 139AA Offence of threatening with article with blade or point or offensive weapon
- 139B Power of entry to search for articles with a blade or point and offensive weapons.
- 140 Extension of constable’s power to stop and search.
- 141 Offensive weapons.
- 141ZA Application of section 141 to swords: further provision
- 141A Sale of knives and certain articles with blade or point to persons under sixteen.
- 141B Limitations on defence to offence under section 141A: England and Wales
- 141C Defence to offence under section 141A where remote sale or letting on hire: Scotland
- 142 Power of justice of the peace to authorise entry and search of premises for offensive weapons.
- 143 Assistance to Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
- 144 Transferred charges.
- 145 Power to petition for winding-up etc. on information obtained on investigation by Director of Serious Fraud Office.
- 146 Evidence before certain service courts.
- 147 Searches of detained persons.
- 148 Computer data about fingerprints.
- 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 151 Customs and Excise power of arrest.
- 152 Remands of suspected drug offenders to . . . detention.
- 153 Court to give reasons for granting bail to a person accused of serious offence.
- 154 Decisions where bail refused on previous hearing.
- 155 Remands in custody for more than eight days.
- 156 Appeals to Crown Court.
- 157 Groundless appeals and applications for leave to appeal.
- 158 Anonymity in rape etc. cases.
- 159 Crown Court proceedings— orders restricting or preventing reports or restricting public access.
- 160 Possession of indecent photograph of child
- 160A Marriage and other relationships
- 161 Possession of indecent photographs of children: Scotland.
- 162 Enforcement of Video Recordings Act 1984.
- 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 166 Costs and expenses of prosecution witnesses and other persons.
- 167 Acquisition of easements etc. under Prison Act 1952.
- 168 Northern Ireland.
- 169 Financial provision.
- 170 Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.
- 171 Commencement.
- 172 Extent.
- 173 Citation.
- SCHEDULE 1 . . .
- SCHEDULE 2
- SCHEDULE 3 Reviews of Sentencing—Supplementary
- SCHEDULE 4 Confiscation Orders
- SCHEDULE 5
- SCHEDULE 6
- SCHEDULE 7
- SCHEDULE 8 Custodial Sentences for Young Offenders
- SCHEDULE 9 Detention of Young Offenders in Scotland
- SCHEDULE 10
- SCHEDULE 11
- SCHEDULE 12 Assessors of Compensation for Miscarriages of Justice
- SCHEDULE 13 Evidence Before service courts.
- SCHEDULE 14
- SCHEDULE 15 Minor and Consequential Amendments
- SCHEDULE 16 Repeals
Proposed changes to this act
No one has proposed a change to this act yet.
190 provisions
90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change93A Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct.
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Propose a change93B Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct.
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Propose a change93C Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct.
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Propose a change93D Tipping-off.
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Propose a change93E Application of sections 93A to 93D to Scotland.
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Propose a change93F Prosecution by order of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.
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Propose a change93G Extension of certain offences to Crown servants and exemptions for regulators etc.
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Propose a change93H Order to make material available.
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Propose a change93I Authority for search.
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Propose a change93J Disclosure of information held by government departments.
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Propose a change94 Enforcement of Northern Ireland orders.
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Propose a change95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change96 Enforcement of other external orders.
(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council— (a) direct in relation to a country or territory outside the United Kingdom designated by the Order (“a designated country") that, subject to such modifications as may be specified, this Part of this Act shall apply to external confiscation orders and to proceedings which have been or are to be instituted in the designated country and may result in an external confiscation order being made there; (b) make— (i) such provision in connection with the taking of action in the designated country with a view to satisfying a confiscation order; (ii) such provision as to evidence or proof of any matter for the purposes of this section and section 97 below; and (iii) such incidental, consequential and transitional provision, as appears to Her Majesty to be expedient; and (c) without prejudice to the generality of this subsection, direct that in such circumstances as may be specified proceeds which arise out of action taken in the designated country with a view to satisfying a confiscation order shall be treated as reducing the amount payable under the order to such extent as may be specified. (2) In this Part of this Act— “external confiscation order” means an order made by a court in a designated country for the purpose— (a) of recovering— (i) property obtained as a result of or in connection with conduct corresponding to an offence to which this Part of this Act applies; or (ii) the value of property so obtained; or (b) of depriving a person of a pecuniary advantage so obtained; and “modifications” includes additions, alterations and omissions. (3) An Order in Council under this section may make different provision for different cases or classes of case. (4) The power to make an Order in Council under this section includes power to modify this Part of this Act in such a way as to confer power on a person to exercise a discretion. (5) An Order in Council under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Propose a change97 Registration of external confiscation orders.
(1) On an application made by or on behalf of the government of a designated country, the High Court may register an external confiscation order made there if— (a) it is satisfied that at the time of registration the order is in force and not subject to appeal; (b) it is satisfied, where the person against whom the order is made did not appear in the proceedings, that he received notice of the proceedings in sufficient time to enable him to defend them; and (c) it is of the opinion that enforcing the order in England and Wales would not be contrary to the interests of justice. (2) In subsection (1) above “appeal” includes— (a) any proceedings by way of discharging or setting aside a judgment; and (b) an application for a new trial or a stay of execution. (3) The High Court shall cancel the registration of an external confiscation order if it appears to the court that the order has been satisfied by payment of the amount due under it or by the person against whom it was made serving imprisonment in default of payment or by any other means.
Propose a change98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change99 Authorisation of delay in notifying arrest etc.
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Propose a change100 Power to inspect Land Register, etc.
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Propose a change101 Abolition of power to make criminal bankruptcy order.
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Propose a change102 Part VI— Interpretation.
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Propose a change103 Amendments of Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987.
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Propose a change104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change106 Discretion of Crown Court to specify extended period of imprisonment in default of payment of compensation.
The following subsections shall be substituted for section 41(8) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970— (8) Subject to subsection (8A) below, where in thecase specified in paragraph 10 of Schedule 9 to this Act the Crown Court thinks that the period for which the person subject to the order is liable apart from this subsection to be committed to prison for default under the order is insufficient, it may specify a longer period for that purpose; and then, in the case of default— (a) the specified period shall be substituted as the maximum for which the person may be imprisoned under section 76 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980; and (b) paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to that Act shall apply, with any necessary modifications, for the reduction of the specified period where, at the time of the person’s imprisonment, he has made part payment under the order. (8A) The Crown Court may not specify under subsection (8) above a period of imprisonment longer than that which it could order a person to undergo on imposing on him a fine equal in amount to the sum required to be paid by the order. .
Propose a change107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change118 Abolition of peremptory challenge.
(1) The right to challenge jurors without cause in proceedings for the trial of a person on indictment is abolished. (2) In addition and without prejudice to any powers which the Crown Court may possess to order the exclusion of the public from any proceedings a judge of the Crown Court may order that the hearing of a challenge for cause shall be in camera or in chambers.
Propose a change119 Persons aged between 65 and 70 to be eligible as jurors.
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Propose a change120 Discretionary deferral of jury service.
The following section shall be inserted after section 9 of the Juries Act 1974— Discretionary deferral. 9A (1) If any person summoned under this Act shows to the satisfaction of the appropriate officer that there is good reason why his attendance in pursuance of the summons should be deferred, the appropriate officer may defer his attendance, and, if he does so, he shall vary the days on which that person is summoned to attend and the summons shall have effect accordingly. (2) If an application under subsection (1) above has been granted or refused, the powers conferred by that subsection may not be exercised subsequently in relation to the same summons. (3) Crown Court Rules shall provide a right of appeal to the court (or one of the courts) before which the person is summoned to attend against any refusal of the appropriate officer to defer his attendance under subsection (1) above. (4) Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this section, the court (or any of the courts) before which a person is summoned to attend under this Act may defer his attendance. .
Propose a change121 Continuation of trials for murder on death or discharge of juror.
In section 16(2) of the Juries Act 1974 (cases where trial not to proceed on death or discharge of juror without assent of prosecution and accused) the words “for murder or shall cease to have effect.
Propose a change122 Autrefois acquit and autrefois convict.
Where an accused pleads autrefois acquit or autrefois convict it shall be for the judge, without the presence of a jury, to decide the issue.
Propose a change123 Custodial sentences for young offenders.
(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6) The amendments and transitional provisions in Schedule 8 to this Act shall have effect.
Propose a change124 Detention of young offenders in Scotland.
(1) In each of sections 207 and 415 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 for subsections (5) to (10) there shall be substituted the following subsection— (5) A sentence of detention imposed under this section shall be a sentence of detention in a young offenders institution. . (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, in any enactment— (a) for a reference to a detention centre there shall be substituted a reference to a young offenders institution; and (b) for a reference (however expressed) to a detention centre order there shall be substituted a reference to a sentence of detention in a young offenders institution. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) above applies— (a) to section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968; (b) to Part I of Schedule I to the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1980; (c) to section 41(2) of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980. (4) The amendments and transitional provisions in Schedule 9 to this Act shall have effect.
Propose a change125 Abolition of power of court to commit juvenile to remand centre instead of local authority care. 1969 c. 54.
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Propose a change