Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

8.—(1) Having considered the application, the panel must do one of the following—

(a) extend the period of the order in accordance with sub-paragraph (2);

(b) refuse the application.

(2) The panel may only extend the period of the order as follows—

(a) where the period of the order has not previously been extended, the extension must be 6 months beginning immediately after the date when the period of the order would otherwise end;

(b) where the period of the order has previously been extended under section 181 or 182 or this Schedule, the extension must be one year beginning immediately after the date when the period of the order would otherwise end.

(3) The panel may extend the period of the order only if it considers that the criteria for continuation are met.

(4) No extension of the period of the order may be made at a time after the person concerned has ceased to be liable to be detained under the order.