(1)The community justice partners for the area of a local authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about the exercise of the functions conferred on them by sections 19 to 23.
(2)Such guidance may be—
(a)general or for particular purposes,
(b)different in relation to different persons, or otherwise for different purposes.
(3)Before issuing such guidance (or revised guidance), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
(a)each person to whom it would relate, and
(b)such other persons as they consider appropriate.
(4)Subsection (3) is complied with even if the consultation has been undertaken, or initiated, before this section comes into force.
(5)The Scottish Ministers must publish any such guidance (or revised guidance).