Singapore legislation
Clause 371
Clause 371
Proceedings how and when taken
(1)
Except where provision is otherwise made in this Act proceedings for any offence under this Act may be taken by the Registrar or with the written consent of the Minister by any person.[U.K.ss. 442, 445.][Aust. s. 381.]
(2)
Notwithstanding anything in any Act proceedings for any offence under this Act may be brought within the period of three years after the commission of the alleged offence or, with the consent of the Minister, at any later time.
(3)
Proceedings for any offence under this Act other than an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding six months may be prosecuted in a Magistrate’s Court and in the case of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term of six months or more may be prosecuted in the District Court.
(4)
The Registrar may, without instituting proceedings against any person for any offence under this Act or the regulation which is punishable only by a fine or a fine and a default penalty, demand and receive the amount of such fine or default penalty or such reduced amount as he thinks fit from such person, whereupon —
if such person pays such amount to the Registrar within fourteen days after the demand, no proceedings shall be taken against him in relation to the offence;
if such person does not so pay the amount so demanded, the Registrar may cause proceedings to be instituted in relation to the offence.
(5)
Any punishment authorized by this Act may be imposed by a District Court notwithstanding that it is a greater punishment than such Court is otherwise empowered to impose.
(6)
The Registrar and any officer authorized by him in writing shall have the right to appear and be heard before a District Court in any proceedings for an offence under this Act.