2E+WParagraph 3 applies in relation to any existing prisoner who, in respect of any mandatory life sentence, has before the commencement date been notified in writing by the Secretary of State (otherwise than in a notice that is expressed to be provisional) either—
(a)of a minimum period which in the view of the Secretary of State should be served before the prisoner’s release on licence, or
(b)that the Secretary of State does not intend that the prisoner should ever be released on licence.
3(1)On the application of the existing prisoner, the High Court must, in relation to the mandatory life sentence, either—E+W
(a)order that the early release provisions are to apply to him as soon as he has served the part of the sentence which is specified in the order, which in a case falling within paragraph 2(a) must not be greater than the notified minimum term, or
(b)in a case falling within paragraph 2(b), order that the early release provisions are not to apply to the offender.
(2)In a case falling within paragraph 2(a), no application may be made under this paragraph after the end of the notified minimum term.
(3)Where no application under this paragraph is made in a case falling within paragraph 2(a), the early release provisions apply to the prisoner in respect of the sentence as soon as he has served the notified minimum term (or, if he has served that term before the commencement date but has not been released, from the commencement date).
(4)In this paragraph “the notified minimum term” means the minimum period notified as mentioned in paragraph 2(a), or where the prisoner has been so notified on more than one occasion, the period most recently so notified.
4(1)In dealing with an application under paragraph 3, the High Court must have regard to—E+W
(a)the seriousness of the offence, or of the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it,
(b)where the court is satisfied that, if the prisoner had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the length of his sentence would have been treated by section 67 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80) as being reduced by a particular period, the effect which that section would have had if he had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and
(c)the length of the notified minimum term or, where a notification falling within paragraph 2(b) has been given to the prisoner, to the fact that such a notification has been given.
(2)In considering under sub-paragraph (1) the seriousness of the offence, or of the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it, the High Court must have regard to—
(a)the general principles set out in Schedule 21, and
(b)any recommendation made to the Secretary of State by the trial judge or the Lord Chief Justice as to the minimum term to be served by the offender before release on licence.
(3)In this paragraph “the notified minimum term” has the same meaning as in paragraph 3.