Section 56: Provisional grant of right of representation
407.This section amends Part 1 of and Schedule 3 to the 1999 Act to allow for the provisional grant of a right to representation in prescribed circumstances.
408.Subsection (6) inserts a new paragraph 1A into Schedule 3. This provides for regulations (subject to the affirmative resolution procedure) to set out circumstances in which a right to representation may be provisionally granted to individuals involved in an investigation which may result in criminal proceedings, for the purpose of those proceedings. Regulations may make provision about the stage of an investigation at which the right may be provisionally granted, and the circumstances in which any provisional grant ceases to be provisional and becomes a full grant, or where it is to be withdrawn.
409.Subsection (2) amends section 14(1) and subsection (3) amends section 15(1) of the 1999 Act so as to refer to provisional grants.
410.Subsection (4) makes regulations under new paragraph 1A subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
411.Subsection (5) adds to the definition of “proceedings” for the purposes of the definition of “representation” in section 26 of the 1999 Act.
412.Subsection (7) amends paragraph 2A of Schedule 3 to provide that any provisional grant of a right to representation under regulations made under new paragraph 1A is to be made by the Legal Services Commission.
413.Subsections (8) and (9) make consequential amendments to paragraphs 3A(1) and 3B of Schedule 3 so as to refer to provisional grants.
414.Subsection (10) amends Schedule 3 and provides that the right of appeal set out in paragraph 4 does not apply in relation to any right granted under new paragraph 1A.
415.Subsection (11) makes consequential amendments to paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 so as to refer to provisional grants and inserts a new sub-paragraph (2A) which defines “proceedings” for the purposes of any provisional grant.