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Representation of the People Act 1983

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  • Act Representation of the People Acts amended by 1985 c. 50 Sch. 1 para. 24
  • Act amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I.2007/1024, Sch. 2 by S.I. 2024/428 reg. 3
  • Act power to amend conferred by 2009 c. 12 s. 34(3)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Blanket amendment words substituted by S.I. 2011/1043 art. 3 4

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  • s. 9(2A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(2)
  • s. 9E(1A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(4)
  • s. 9ZA inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(3)
  • s. 10(4C) (4D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(3)(e) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 10A(1C) (1D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(5)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 10ZE(2A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(a)
  • s. 10ZE(4A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(c)
  • s. 10ZE(5A)-(5C) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(d)
  • s. 13A(1)(zc) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(6)
  • s. 13A(2C) (2D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(6)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 16(1)(e) words substituted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(5)
  • s. 16(1)(e) words substituted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(6)
  • s. 49(5)(b)(iiia) inserted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(8)(a)
  • s. 56(1)(azaa) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(9)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 7(2)(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 8 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 7(3)(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 5(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 6(a)
  • s. 62C inserted by 2023 c. 12 s. 1
  • s. 63(3)(ba) inserted by 2006 c. 22 s. 7 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 7 repealed (2.4.2013) without ever being in force by 2013 c. 6, s. 23; S.I. 2013/702, art. 3(e))
  • s. 81(4A) (4B) inserted by 2006 asp 14 s. 19(2)
  • s. 113(7)(b)(c) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 15(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 114(4) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 115(3) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 17 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 139(6A) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 19(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 165(3A) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 20 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 201(2B) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(9) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 203A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(3)
  • s. 203A 203B applied by 1989 c. 3, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 9(4)
  • s. 203B applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(3)
  • Sch. 1 rule 44B amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 by S.I. 2024/319 reg. 12
  • Sch. 1 rule 37A inserted by 2011 c. 1 s. 9(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 9 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(a))
  • Sch. 1 rule 45A 45B inserted by 2011 c. 1 s. 9(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 9 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(a))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(3) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(3A)(3B) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(4) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 40(1B)(a) repealed by 2006 c. 22 Sch. 2
  • Sch. 1 rule 18 substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 2 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(d) substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(5)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(c) substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 62 substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 11(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(aa)(b) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(b) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(2)-(2E) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(2) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(aa)(b) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(b) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(5)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 49 49A substituted for Sch. 1 rule 49 by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 7 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 50(1)(a)(aa)(ab)(b)(c) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 50(1)(a)-(c) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 8 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(a)(aa) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(a) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(1)(1A) substituted for rule 46(1) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(2) words inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47 heading words inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 29(5) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 3 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 44(5) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 4 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(d) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 53(4) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 9 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(1) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 2 para. 1(4ZA)-(4ZC) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(10)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Sch. 2 para. 1(6A) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(10)(e) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Sch. 2 para. 5C inserted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 4 para. 5
  • Sch. 4A para. 13A inserted by S.I. 2024/428 reg. 4(1)
  • Sch. 6A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as inserted) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(4)
  • Sch. 6A applied by 1989 c. 3, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 9(4)

123 Constitution of election court and place of trial.U.K.

(1)A parliamentary election petition shall be tried by—

(a)two judges on the rota for the trial of parliamentary election petitions, and the judges for the time being on that rota shall, unless they otherwise agree, try the election petitions standing for trial according to their seniority,

(b)in Northern Ireland, the two judges of the High Court or the Court of Appeal for the time being selected under section 108 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978,

and the judges presiding at the trial of a parliamentary election petition are hereinafter referred to as the election court.

(2)The election court has, subject to the provisions of this Act, the same powers, jurisdiction and authority as a judge of the High Court (or, in Scotland, a judge of the Court of Session presiding at the trial of a civil cause without a jury) and shall be a court of record.

(3)The place of trial shall be within the constituency for which the election was held, but—

(a)the High Court may, on being satisfied that special circumstances exist rendering it desirable that the petition should be tried elsewhere, appoint some other convenient place for the trial; and

(b)if that constituency is wholly or partly in Greater London, the petition may be heard at such place within Greater London as the High Court may appoint.

(4) The election court may adjourn the trial from one place to another within the constituency.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 123 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)-(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

S. 123 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2S. 123 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1220), art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

S. 123 applied (with modifications) (11.3.1999) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/787), art. 85(1)-(3), Sch. 6 Pts. I, II (which S.I. was revoked (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by S.I. 2002/2779, arts. 1, 2 (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a)))

S. 123 applied (with modifications) (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2779), arts. 1, 81, Sch. 6 Pts. I, II (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a))

S. 123 applied (with modifications) (15.3.2007 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/937), arts. 1, 83, Sch. 6 Pts. I, II

C3S. 123 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599), art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C4S. 123 applied (with modifications) (30.12.2010 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2999), arts. 1(1), 84(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with art. 1(2)(3))

C5S. 123 applied (with modifications) (30.12.2010 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2999), arts. 1(1), 84(2)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with art. 1(2)(3))

C6S. 123 applied (with modifications) (S.) (16.12.2015) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/425), arts. 1(1), 82(2)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with art. 1(2))

C7S. 123 applied (with modifications) (S.) (16.12.2015) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/425), arts. 1(1), 82(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with art. 1(2))

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