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Updated to 30 June 2025 (Act No. 5 of 2025 and S.I. No. 275 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Criminal Evidence Act 1992
No. 12 of 1992

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Ss. 1-11 7 October 1992 S. 1(2)
S. 12 15 February 1993 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 12, 13, 18 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 38 of 1993), art. 2(a)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 4) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(a)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 16) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(b)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 17) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(c)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 20) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(d)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 21) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(e)
S. 13 for a Special Criminal Court 30 June 2022 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 308 of 2022), art. 2
S. 13 for District Courts sitting in District Nos. 10, 12, 23-25 30 May 2018 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 186 of 2018), art. 2
S. 13 for the Central Criminal Court and Dublin Circuit Criminal Court 15 February 1993 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 12, 13, 18 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 38 of 1993), art. 2(b)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 18. 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 2
S. 13 for the Dublin Metropolitan District of the District Court 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(a)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the Eastern Circuit 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(a)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the Northern Circuit 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(b)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the South-Western Circuit 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(c)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the South Eastern Circuit 12 February 2007 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 52 of 2007), art. 2(a)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the Western Cicruit 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(d)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in Midland Circuit 20 August 2007 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 572 of 2007), art. 2(a)
S. 13 for the Circuit Court sitting in the Cork Circuit 2 May 2005 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 221 of 2005), art. 2
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 1 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(e)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 2 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(f)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 3 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(g)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 4) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(a)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 5 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(h)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 6 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(i)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 7 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(j)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 8 12 February 2007 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 52 of 2007), art. 2(b)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 9 20 August 2007 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 572 of 2007), art. 2(b)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 13 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(k)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 15 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(l)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 16) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(b)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 17) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(c)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 20) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(d)
S. 13 (the District Court sitting in District No. 21) 15 December 2021 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 693 of 2021), art. 2(e)
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 19 8 July 2005 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 296 of 2005), art. 2
S. 13 for the District Court sitting in District No. 22 2 June 2015 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 13) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 205 of 2015), art. 2(m)
S. 14 3 March 1997 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 14 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 66 of 1997), art. 2(a)
Ss. 15(1)-15(3) 7 October 1992 S. 1(2)
S. 15(4) for the Dublin Metropolitan District of the District Court 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(b)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 1 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(a)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 2 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(b)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 3 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(c)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 4 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(d)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 5 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(e)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 6 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(f)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 7 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(g)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 8 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 9 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(i)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 10 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(j)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 12 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(k)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 13 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(l)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 15 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(m)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 16 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(n)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 17 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(o)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 18 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(p)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 19 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(q)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 20 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(r)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 21 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(s)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 22 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(t)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 23 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(u)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 24 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(v)
S.16 (in so far as it is not already in operation) of the District Court sitting in District No. 25 30 November 2023 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13 and 16) (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 589 of 2023), art. 3(w)
S. 16(1)(a) for the Dublin Metropolitan District of the District Court 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(c)
S. 16(1)(b) 15 October 2008  Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 16(1)(b)) (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 401 of 2008), art. 2(a)
Ss. 16(2)-16(4) for the Dublin Metropolitan District of the District Court 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(c)
S. 17 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(d)
S. 18 15 February 1993 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 12, 13, 18 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 38 of 1993), art. 2(a)
S. 19 insofar as it relates to the reference in it to s. 14(1)(b) 3 March 1997 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 14 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 66 of 1997), art. 2(b)
S. 19 insofar as it relates to the reference in it to section 13(1)(a) 15 February 1993 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Sections 12, 13, 18 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 38 of 1993), art. 2(c)
S. 19 insofar as it relates to the reference in it to section 16(1)(a) 30 September 1993 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Sections 13, 15(4), 16, 17 and 19) (Commencement) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 288 of 1993), art. 2(e )
S. 19 insofar as it relates to the reference in it to section 16(1)(b) 15 October 2008 Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (Section 16(1)(b)) (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 401 of 2008), art. 2(b)
Ss. 20-28 7 October 1992 S. 1(2)
S. 29 6 October 1997 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 (Section 29) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 371 of 1997)
S. 30 7 October 1992 S. 1(2)
Sch. 7 October 1992 S. 1(2)

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
S. 1(4)(a) amended 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 33
S. 1(4)(b)(iii) substituted 24/2007, ss. 1(2), 11, schedule 4
S. 2 amended 8/2008, ss. 12(a)(i), 12(a)(ii), 15(2)
  6/2007, s. 4(1)
  15/2006, s. 7(2)
S. 2 def. of "sexual offence" substituted 4/1997, s. 16
S. 2(1) amended 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 34
S. 5 presumptions relating to documents 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 18(1)
S. 5(4)(a)(ii) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 18(1)
S. 5(4)(b)(iia) inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 188(1)
S. 5(4)(b)(iia) construction of references 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 172
S. 5(4)(b)(iv) construction of references “registered medical practitioner” 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 6 offence under deemed serious offence for purposes of Act 3/2011, s. 1, schedule 1
S. 7 document or information contained in it construed 39/1997, s. 908D(6)(b) as inserted by 11/2007, s. 124(c)
  50/2001, s. 52(6)(b)
S. 7(1)(a) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 18(2)
Ss. 7, 8, 9 application extended with modifictions 50/2001, ss. 1(2), 52(6)(a), 52(6)(b)
S. 8 document or information contained in it construed 39/1997, s. 908D(6)(b) as inserted by 11/2007, s. 124(c)
  50/2001, s. 52(6)(b)
S. 9 document or information contained in it construed 39/1997, s. 908D(6)(b) as inserted by 11/2007, s. 124(c)
  50/2001, s. 52(6)(b)
Part 3 (ss. 12-19) amended 24/2001, ss. 2(1), 257(3)
S. 12 substituted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(a)
  8/2008, ss. 12(b), 15(2)
S. 12(1) amended 6/2018, ss. 1(2), 44
Ss. 12(b), 12(c) amended 22/1998, ss. 1(2), 10(a)
S. 12(d) inserted 22/1998, ss. 1(2), 10(b)
S. 12(1)(ba) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(a)(i)
S. 12(1)(db) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(a)(ii)
S. 12(1)(e) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(a)(iii)
S. 13 brought into operation S.I. No. 221 of 2005, o. 2
S. 13(1) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(b)(i)
  10/1999, ss. 2(2), 18(3)
S. 13(1A) inserted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(b)(ii)
S. 13(2) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(b)(iii)
S. 13(3) deleted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 35
S. 14(1)(a) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(c)(i)
S. 14(1A) inserted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(c)(ii)
S. 14(3) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(c)(iii)
S. 14A inserted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(d)
S. 14A inserted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 36
S. 14AA inserted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(e)
S. 14B inserted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(f)
S. 14B inserted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 36
S. 14C inserted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 36
S. 14C Entitlement to free legal aid prescribed in respect of cross-examinations to which section applies  32/1995, s. 28(5B) as inserted by 2/2017, s. 40
S. 14C(1)(a) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(g)
S. 14C(2)(a) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(b)(i)(I)
S. 14C(2)(b) substituted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(b)(i)(II)
S. 14C(2A) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 60(b)(ii)
S. 15 substituted 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 19
S. 15(1)(a) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(h)(i)
Ss. 15(1)(a), 15(1)(b), 15(1)(c) substituted 24/2013, ss. 4(a)(i), 5(2)
S. 15(1)(b) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(h)(ii)
S. 15(2) substituted 24/2013, ss. 4(a)(ii), 5(2)
S. 16(1) substituted 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 20(b)
S. 16(1)(a) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(i)(i)
S. 16(1)(a) substituted 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 20(a)
S. 16(1)(b) substituted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 37
S. 16(1)(b) substituted 24/2013, ss. 4(b), 5(2)
S. 16(1)(b)(i) substituted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(i)(ii)
S. 17 amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(j)
  2/2017, ss. 1(2), 38
S. 18 substituted 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(k)
S. 19 amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(l)
  24/2013, ss. 4(c), 5(2)
S. 19A inserted 2/2017, ss. 1(2), 39
S. 19A Entitlement to free legal aid prescribed in respect of applications to which section applies  32/1995, s. 28(5C) as inserted by 2/2017, s. 40
S. 19A(13) amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(m)
S. 20 definitions amended 33/1996, ss. 1(2), 49
S. 22 amended 24/2001, ss. 2(1), 257(3)
S. 25 amended 35/2015, ss. 1(2), 20
S. 27(2) references construed 13/2021, s. 4(2), schedule 2
S. 29 amended 28/2017, ss. 1(2), 30(n)
S. 29(1) substituted 49/2001, ss. 1(3), 24
S. 29(3) references construed 13/2021, s. 4(1), schedule 1

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
None