EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1985

No. 17 of 1985

This Ordinance amends the Court of Petty Sessions Ordinance 1930 (“the Principal Ordinance”) by omitting certain references to the Deputy Crown Solicitor and substituting references to the Director of Public Prosecutions or a person authorized by the Director.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has assumed responsibility for the prosecution of offences against laws in force in the Australian Capital Territory.  Prior to the appointment of the Director, responsibility for such prosecutions rested with the Australian Government Solicitor (formerly the Deputy Crown Solicitor, Australian Capital Territory).

The Principal Ordinance contained a number of references to the Deputy Crown Solicitor in connection with criminal proceedings.  The provisions are primarily of a machinery nature.

Details of the Ordinance are as follows:

	Section 1 provides that the Ordinance may be cited as the Court of Petty Sessions (Amendment) Ordinance 1985.

	Section 2 defines the Principal Ordinance to mean the Court of Petty Sessions Ordinance 1930.

	Section 2 amends section 72 of the Principal Ordinance by omitting references to the Deputy Crown Solicitor and substituting references to the Director of Public Prosecutions or a person authorized by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Authorised by the 
Attorney-General

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