Contempt of Court Act 1981

Strict liability

1The strict liability rule

2Limitation of scope of strict liability

3Defence of innocent publication or distribution

4Contemporary reports of proceedings

5Discussion of public affairs

7Consent required for institution of proceedings

Other aspects of law and procedure

8Confidentiality of jury's deliberations

9Use of tape recorders

10Sources of information

11Publication of matters exempted from disclosure in court

12Offences of contempt of magistrates' courts

Penalties for contempt and kindred offences

14Proceedings in England and Wales

15Penalties for contempt of court in Scottish proceedings

16Enforcement of fines imposed by certain superior courts

17Disobedience to certain orders of magistrates' courts

18Northern Ireland

19Interpretation

20Tribunals of Inquiry

21Short title, commencement and extent

SCHEDULE 1Times when Proceedings are Active for Purposes of Section 2

1In this Schedule " criminal proceedings " means proceedings against...

2Criminal, appellate and other proceedings are active within the meaning...

Criminal proceedings

3Subject to the following provisions of this Schedule, criminal proceedings...

4The initial steps of criminal proceedings are :—

5Criminal proceedings are concluded— (a) by acquittal or, as the...

6The reference in paragraph 5(a) to sentence includes any order...

7Proceedings are discontinued within the meaning of paragraph 5(c)—

8Criminal proceedings before a court-martial or standing civilian court are...

9Criminal proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland cease...

10Without prejudice to paragraph 5(b) above, criminal proceedings against a...

11Criminal proceedings against a person which become active on the...

Other proceedings at first instance

12Proceedings other than criminal proceedings and appellate proceedings are active...

13In England and Wales or Northern Ireland arrangements for the...

14In Scotland arrangements for the hearing of proceedings to which...

Appellate proceedings

15Appellate proceedings are active from the time when they are...

16Where, in appellate proceedings relating to criminal proceedings, the court—...

SCHEDULE 2Amendments

PART ILEGAL AID ACT 1974 (c.4)

1In section 28, after subsection (11) there shall be inserted...

2In section 30, after subsection (4) there shall be inserted...

PART IILEGAL AID (SCOTLAND) ACT 1967 (c.43)

1In section 1, in subsection (2), after "provide," there shall...

2In section 1, after subsection (7) there shall be inserted...

PART IIICORONERS ACT 1887, COUNTY COURTS ACT 1959, ATTACHMENT OF EARNINGS ACT 1971 AND MAGISTRATES' COURT ACT 1980

Coroners Act 1887 (c. 71)

1In subsections (1) and (2) of section 19 and in...

County Courts Act 1959 (c.22)

2In section 30, in paragraph (a) of subsection (1), for...

3In section 127, in paragraph (a) of subsection (1), for...

4In section 144, after subsection (2) there shall be inserted...

5In section 157, in paragraph (ii) of subsection (1), for...

Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 (c.32)

6In section 23, after subsection (1) there shall be inserted...

Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c.43)

7In section 97, in subsection (4), for the words "...

SCHEDULE 3Application of Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 to Civil Contempt Proceedings Under Section 63(3)

1(1) Where the proceedings are taken of the court's own...

2Where the proceedings are taken by way of complaint for...

3Whether the proceedings are taken of the court's own motion...

SCHEDULE 4Sections 12, 13, 14 and 16 as Applied to Northern Ireland

12(1) In the Magistrates' Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 the...

13(1) In any case where— (a) a person is liable...

14(1) In any case where a court has power to...

16Section 35 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945...

Contempt of Court Act 1981

1981 Chapter 49

An Act to amend the law relating to contempt of court and related matters.

[27th July 1981]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—