HC Deb 12 June 1996 vol 279 cc389-90

5E.—(1) The following documents fall within this section—

  1. (a) any document which by virtue of any enactment is evidence in proceedings before a magistrates' court inquiring into an offence as examining justices;
  2. (b) any document which by virtue of any enactment is admissible, or may be used, or is to be admitted or received, in or as evidence in such proceedings;
  3. (c) any document which by virtue of any enactment may be considered in such proceedings;
  4. (d) any document whose production constitutes proof in such proceedings by virtue of any enactment;
  5. (e) any document by the production of which evidence may be given in such proceedings by virtue of any enactment.

(2) In subsection (1) above—

  1. (a) references to evidence include references to prima facie evidence;
  2. (b) references to any enactment include references to any provision of this Act.

(3) So much of any document as is admitted in evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court commits the accused for trial by virtue of section 6(2) below or the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing; and where the court so directs an account shall be given orally of so much of any document as is not read aloud.

(4) In this section "document" means anything in which information of any description is recorded.'

No. 44, in page 51, line 15, at end insert—