3Interpretation

### 3 Interpretation > *\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 108 of 1974, s. 38 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 1976, s. 2 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 45 of 1987, s. 21 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 46 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 3 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 10 of 1993, s. 4 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 8 of 1994, s. 4 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 1995, s. 4 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 66 of 1995, s. 4 \]* > > > (1)  *\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 33 of 1963, s. 2 \]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –[*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1999, s. 5, Applied:30 Apr 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-04-30/act-1999-007#GS5@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1999, s. 5, Applied:30 Apr 1999\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-04-30/act-1999-007#GS5@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 91 of 2001, s. 6, Applied:05 Dec 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS6@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 69 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-12-15/act-2003-069#JS1@Ja7@GC1@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 2004, s. 35, Applied:16 Nov 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-11-16/act-2004-044#GS35@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 43 of 2006, s. 34, Applied:18 Dec 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-043#GS34@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 43 of 2006, s. 34, Applied:18 Dec 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-043#GS34@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 42 of 2005, s. 28, Applied:01 Jan 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-01-01/act-2005-042#GS28@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 43 of 2006, s. 34, Applied:18 Dec 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-043#GS34@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2020, s. 13, Applied:01 Jul 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-07-01/act-2020-027#GS13@Hpa@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2020, s. 13, Applied:01 Jul 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-07-01/act-2020-027#GS13@Hpa@EN) ***affected person*** means a person who is an affected person under [section 61(2)](#GS61@Gs2@EN) ; > > > > > ***breach of duty*** means any act or omission (not being a simple offence) upon complaint whereof justices may make an order on a person for the payment of money or for doing, or refraining from doing, any other act; > > > > > ***charge of an indictable offence*** means charge of an indictable offence as such and in order to a committal for trial therefor; > > > > > ***Chief Clerk of Petty Sessions*** means the person holding office as Chief Clerk of Petty Sessions by virtue of [section 16](#GS16@EN) ; > > > > > ***Chief Magistrate*** means the Chief Magistrate appointed under [section 5 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045#GS5@EN) [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2018, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2018-015#JS1@Ja1@GC1@EN) > > > > > ***complaint*** means a written allegation of an indictable or simple offence or of a breach of duty made to a justice; > > > > > ***court of petty sessions*** means a court held by 2 or more justices in petty session; > > > > > ***court of summary jurisdiction*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) a court of petty sessions; and > > > > > > > > > (b) a court held by one justice; > > > > > ***decision*** includes a committal for trial and an admission to bail as well as a conviction, order, order of dismissal, or other determination; > > > > > ***defendant*** means a person complained against before justices for an indictable offence, simple offence, or breach of duty; and in [sections 77](#GS77@EN) to [87](#GS87@EN) includes any person against whom a warrant of execution is or may be issued; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja17@GC1@EN) ***Director, MPES*** means the Director, Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service appointed under section 8 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpa@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***district*** means a municipal area, within the meaning of the [Local Government Act 1993](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1993-095) ; > > > > > ***extra-territorial justice*** means a justice appointed under [section 11](#GS11@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja7@GC1@EN) ***family violence offence*** means a family violence offence within the meaning of the [Family Violence Act 2004](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2004-067) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja7@GC1@EN) ***family violence order*** means a family violence order within the meaning of the [Family Violence Act 2004](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2004-067) and includes a police family violence order and an interim family violence order under that Act; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:16 Apr 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-16/act-2003-009#JS1@Ja29@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***gaol*** means a prison within the meaning of the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) ; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:16 Apr 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-16/act-2003-009#JS1@Ja29@GC1@Hpb@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:16 Apr 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-16/act-2003-009#JS1@Ja29@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***gaoler*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) in relation to a prisoner or detainee, as defined in the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) , in a place declared under [section 9(1) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051#GS9@Gs1@EN) [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) to be a prison, the Director of Corrective Services; or > > > > > > > > > (b) in relation to a person in a place declared to be a prison under the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) that is available for use for the detention in lawful custody of persons other than prisoners or detainees under [section 9(2) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051#GS9@Gs1@EN) [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) , a police officer; > > > > > ***hearing*** includes the examination of a person charged with an indictable offence; > > > > > ***indictable offence*** means an offence which may be prosecuted upon indictment before the Supreme Court; > > > > > ***interim restraint order*** has the same meaning as in [Part XA](#HPXA@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 23 of 2009, s. 19, Applied:16 Jun 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-023#GS19@EN) ***lawyer*** means an Australian legal practitioner as defined in [section 6](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2007-024#GS6@EN) of the [Legal Profession Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2007-024) ; > > > > > ***magistrate*** means a magistrate within the meaning of the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 18, Applied:01 Jul 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS18@Hpa@EN) ***Magistrates Rule Committee*** means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > > > ***order*** means an order made upon a complaint of a breach of duty; > > > > > ***pecuniary sum*** means a sum of money in respect of which a warrant is issued under [section 80](#GS80@EN) [(1)](#GS80@Gs1@EN) , including the prescribed costs of the warrant and of a warrant of commitment issued under [section 80](#GS80@EN) [(2)](#GS80@Gs2@EN) [(c)](#GS80@Gs2@Hpc@EN) , [80](#GS80@EN) [(4A)](#GS80@Gs4A@EN) or [82](#GS82@EN) [(1)](#GS82@Gs1@EN) , as the case may require; > > > > > ***petty session*** means a sitting together of 2 or more justices otherwise than in – > > > > > > > > (a) a general session; or > > > > > > > > > (b) a special session required to be held for administrative purposes under another Act; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2020, s. 13, Applied:01 Jul 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-07-01/act-2020-027#GS13@Hpb@EN) ***preliminary proceedings*** means proceedings conducted in accordance with a preliminary proceedings order; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2020, s. 13, Applied:01 Jul 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-07-01/act-2020-027#GS13@Hpc@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2020, s. 13, Applied:01 Jul 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-07-01/act-2020-027#GS13@Hpc@EN) ***preliminary proceedings order*** means an order requiring the giving of evidence on oath in preliminary proceedings – > > > > > > > > (a) made under [section 62](#GS62@EN) ; or > > > > > > > > > (b) made by the Supreme Court under [section 331B of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS331B@EN) [Criminal Code](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069) ; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 76 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jan 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-01-01/act-2003-076#JS1@Ja39@GC1@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 18, Applied:01 Jul 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS18@Hpb@EN) ***prescribed*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpc@EN) prescribed in the rules of court; or > > > > > > > > > (b) prescribed in regulations made under [section 145](#GS145@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:16 Apr 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-16/act-2003-009#JS1@Ja29@GC1@Hpc@EN) ***probation officer*** means a probation officer as defined by the [Corrections Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-051) ; > > > > > ***public officer*** means any person employed in any capacity in the public service of the State, and includes – > > > > > > > > (a) a police officer; and > > > > > > > > > (b) a probation officer; > > > > > ***restraint order*** has the same meaning as in [Part XA](#HPXA@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:01 Feb 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-02-01/act-2007-022#GS4@Hpd@EN) ***rules of court*** means rules of court made by the Magistrates Rule Committee under the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) for the purposes of this Act; > > > > > ***Secretary*** means the Secretary of the Department; > > > > > ***simple offence*** means any offence (indictable or not) punishable, on summary conviction before justices, by fine, imprisonment, or otherwise; > > > > > ***summary conviction***, or ***conviction***, means a conviction by justices for a simple offence; > > > > > ***telephone interim restraint order*** has the same meaning as in [Part XA](#HPXA@EN) ; > > > > > ***the clerk of petty sessions*** means the person appointed or assigned as clerk of petty sessions for the district to which the context relates; > > > > > ***the justices*** means the justices exercising jurisdiction in respect of the matter to which the context relates. > > > (2)  Where in any enactment the expressions ***information***, ***information and complaint***, ***charge***, and ***charge of an indictable offence*** are used in relation to proceedings before justices, they shall be deemed to mean a complaint.