Royal Parks (Trading) Act 2000

5 Retention and disposal

(1) The Secretary of State may retain anything which has been seized under section 4 until the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the seizure.

(2) Subsection (3) applies where before the end of that period an information for a park trading offence is laid—

(a) against the person from whom the thing was seized, and

(b) in respect of his activities at the time of the seizure.

(3) Where this subsection applies—

(a) the Secretary of State may retain the thing seized until the conclusion of proceedings relating to the offence (including any appeal), and

(b) if an award is made of costs to be paid by the accused to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State may retain the thing seized until the costs have been paid.

(4) Subsection (3) has effect subject to any order for forfeiture under section 6.

(5) If the Secretary of State has retained a thing in reliance on subsection (3)(b) for the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the conclusion of proceedings relating to the offence (including any appeal)—

(a) he may sell it for the best price which he can reasonably obtain and apply the proceeds in discharge of the award of costs, and

(b) if he does so, he shall pay any balance to the person whom he believes to have owned the thing immediately before the sale.

(6) Where the Secretary of State ceases to be entitled to retain a thing under this section he shall, subject to any order for forfeiture under section 6, return it to the person whom he believes to be its owner.

(7) If the Secretary of State cannot after reasonable inquiry identify a person for the purposes of subsection (5)(b) or (6)—

(a) he shall apply to a magistrates' court for directions, and

(b) the court shall make an order about the treatment of the thing or the balance of its price.