This section shall apply where—
The reference in subsection (1)(a) above to the issue of a summons requiring a person to appear before a magistrates' court other than a youth court includes a reference to the issue of a summons requiring a person who has attained the age of 16 at the time when it is issued to appear before a youth court.
The documents referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are—
Where the designated officer for the court receives a notification in writing purporting to be given by the accused or by a legal representative acting on his behalf that the accused desires to plead guilty without appearing before the court—
If at the time and place appointed for the trial or adjourned trial of the information—
the court may, subject to section 11(3) and (4) above and subsections (6) to (8) below, proceed to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, whether or not the prosecutor is also absent, in like manner as if both parties had appeared and the accused had pleaded guilty.
If at any time before the hearing the designated officer for the court receives an indication in writing purporting to be given by or on behalf of the accused that he wishes to withdraw the notification—
Before accepting the plea of guilty and convicting the accused under subsection (5) above, the court shall , subject to rules of court made under subsection (7ZA), cause the following to be read out before the court ..., namely—
Rules of court may—
Where rules of court are made under subsection (7ZA), subsection (7) applies only to the extent provided for by the rules.
Where the court gives a direction under subsection (7)(aa) above the court shall cause an account to be given orally before the court ... of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
Whether or not a direction under paragraph (aa) of subsection (7) above is given in relation to any statement served as mentioned in that paragraph the court need not cause to be read out the declaration required by section 9(2)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.
If the court proceeds under subsection (5) above to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, the court shall not permit—
to be made or placed before the court by or on behalf of the prosecutor except on a resumption of the trial after an adjournment under section 10(3) above.
If the court decides not to proceed under subsection (5) above to hear and dispose of the case in the absence of the accused, it shall adjourn or further adjourn the trial for the purpose of dealing with the information as if the notification under subsection (4) above had not been given.
In relation to an adjournment on the occasion of the accused's conviction in his absence under subsection (5) above or to an adjournment required by subsection (9) above, the notice required by section 10(2) above shall include notice of the reason for the adjournment.
No notice shall be required by section 10(2) above in relation to an adjournment—
No order shall be made under subsection (1) above unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.
Any such document as is mentioned in subsection (3) above may be served in Scotland with a summons which is so served under the Summary Jurisdiction (Process) Act 1881.