PART XI Sentencing
F1Restriction of liberty orders
245AF2 Restriction of liberty orders.
1
Without prejudice to section 245D of this Act, where a person F10. . . is convicted of an offence F3punishable by imprisonment (other than an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law) the court, F4. . . may F5, instead of imposing on him a sentence of, or including, imprisonment or any other form of detention, make an order under this section (in this Act referred to as a “restriction of liberty order”) in respect of him. F12. . .
2
A restriction of liberty order may restrict the offender’s movements to such extent as the court thinks fit and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may include provision—
a
requiring the offender to be in such place as may be specified for such period or periods in each day or week as may be specified;
b
requiring the offender not to be in such place or places, or such class or classes of place or places, at such time or during such periods, as may be specified,
F13. . . .
F142A
In making a restriction of liberty order containing provision under subsection (2)(a), the court must ensure that the offender is not required, either by the order alone or the order taken together with any other relevant order or requirement, to be in any place or places for a period or periods totalling more than 12 hours in any one day.
2B
In subsection (2A), “other relevant order or requirement” means—
a
any other restriction of liberty order in effect in respect of the offender at the time the court is making the order referred to in subsection (2A), and
b
any restricted movement requirement under section 227ZF in effect in respect of the offender at that time.
3
A restriction of liberty order may be made for any period up to 12 months.
4
Before making a restriction of liberty order, the court shall explain to the offender in ordinary language—
a
the effect of the orderF16...;
b
the consequences which may follow any failure by the offender to comply with the requirements of any order; and
c
that the court has power under section 245E of this Act to review the order on the application either of the offender or of any person responsible for monitoring the order,
and the court shall not make the order unless the offender agrees to comply with its requirements.
5
The clerk of the court by which a restriction of liberty order is made shall—
a
cause a copy of the order to be sent—
F20i
to any person who is to be responsible for monitoring the offender’s compliance with the order; F6 and
ii
if the offender resides (or is to reside) in a place outwith the jurisdiction of the court making the order, to the clerk of a court within whose jurisdiction that place is; and
b
cause a copy of the order to be given to the offender or sent to him by registered post or by the recorded delivery service; and an acknowledgment or certificate of delivery of a letter containing such copy order issued by the Post Office shall be sufficient evidence of the delivery of the letter on the day specified in such acknowledgment or certificate.
6
Before making a restriction of liberty order which will require the offender to remain in a specified place or places the court shall F7—
a
i
the place or places proposed to be specified; and
F19ia
the suitability of what is proposed (particularly with a view to maximising the prospect of the offender's compliance with the order and minimising the risk of reoffending by the offender);
ii
the attitude of persons likely to be affected by the enforced presence there of the offender F9; and
b
if it considers it necessary, hear the officer who prepared the report.
7
A restriction of liberty order shall be taken to be a sentence for the purposes of this Act and of any appeal.
8
The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe—
a
which courts, or class or classes of courts, may make restriction of liberty orders;
b
what method or methods of monitoring compliance with such orders may be specified in any such order by any such court; and
c
the class or classes of offenders in respect of which restriction of liberty orders may be made,
and different provision may be made in relation to the matters mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) above in relation to different courts or classes of court.
F189
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10
Regulations under subsection (8) above may make such transitional and consequential provisions, including provision in relation to the continuing effect of any restriction of liberty order in force when new regulations are made, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
11
A court shall not make a restriction of liberty order which requires an offender to be in or, as the case may be, not to be in, a particular place or places unless it is satisfied that his compliance with that requirement can be monitored by the means of monitoring which it intends to specify in the order.
F1111A
A court shall not make a restriction of liberty order in respect of an offender who is under 16 years of age unless, having obtained a report on the offender from the local authority in whose area he resides, it is satisfied as to the services which the authority will provide for his support and rehabilitation during the period when he is subject to the order.
12
The Secretary of State may by regulations substitute for the period of—
a
hours for the time being mentioned in F15subsection (2A) above; or
b
months for the time being mentioned in subsection (3) above,
such period of hours or, as the case may be, months as may be prescribed in the regulations.
13
Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument.
14
A statutory instrument containing regulations made under subsection (8) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
15
No regulations shall be made under subsection (12) above unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
Ss. 245A-245I and preceding cross-heading inserted (20.10.1997 for specified purposes and 1.7.1998 otherwise) by 1997 c. 48, s. 5; S.I. 1997/2323, arts. 3, 5(1), Sch. 1