Guidance
5C
1
The Secretary of State may issue guidance to whatever persons in England and Wales the Secretary of State considers appropriate about—
a
the effect of any provision of this Act, or
b
other matters relating to female genital mutilation.
2
A person exercising public functions to whom guidance is given under this section must have regard to it in the exercise of those functions.
3
Nothing in this section permits the Secretary of State to give guidance to any court or tribunal.
4
Before issuing guidance under this section the Secretary of State must consult—
a
the Welsh Ministers so far as the guidance is to
a devolved Welsh authority
;
b
any person whom the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
5
In subsection (4)(a) “
devolved Welsh authority
” has the same meaning as in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (see section 157A of that Act).
6
The Secretary of State may from time to time revise any guidance issued under this section.
7
Subsections (2) and (3) have effect in relation to any revised guidance.
8
Subsection (4) has effect in relation to any revised guidance unless the Secretary of State considers the proposed revisions of the guidance are insubstantial.
9
The Secretary of State must publish the current version of any guidance issued under this section.
S. 5C inserted (E.W.) (31.10.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 75(1), 88(1); S.I. 2015/1809, reg. 2(b)
Words in s. 5C(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 59(2) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)
S. 5C(5) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 59(3) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)