Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851

Justices may decide cases under this Act on evidence of witnesses or confession, &c

14 & 15 Vict. c. 93.

1. It shall be lawful for any justice or justices sitting in petty sessions, (or for any two justices sitting out of petty sessions, when the offender shall be unable to procure bail for his appearance at petty sessions,) within his or their respective jurisdictions, to hear and determine, either on the oath of one or more credible witnesses, or on the confession of the person against whom the complaint shall be made, all complaints relating to any offences, claims, or other matters under the provisions of this Act, and to order such fine, imprisonment, compensation, expences, and sums, or to make such other order relating to each offence or other matter as such person shall be liable to under the said provisions; and all proceedings as to compelling the appearance of any such person or of any witness, and as to the hearing and determination of such complaints, and as to the making and executing of such orders, shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851, (when the case shall be heard in any petty sessions district,) and to the provisions of the Acts relating to the divisional police offices, (when the case shall be heard in the police district of Dublin Metropolis,) so far as the said provisions shall be consistent with any special provisions of this Act.

[Ss. 2–5 rep. 24 & 25 Vict. c. 95. s. 1.]