““sentence of imprisonment” does not include a sentence of imprisonment passed in respect of a summary conviction for an offence under section 6(1) or (2) of the Bail Act 1976.”

(3)

In section 237 (meaning of “fixed-term prisoner” for purposes of Chapter 6), after subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1A)

In subsection (1)(a) “sentence of imprisonment” does not include a sentence of imprisonment passed in respect of a summary conviction for an offence under section 6(1) or (2) of the Bail Act 1976.”

(4)

In section 257 (additional days for disciplinary offences), after subsection (2) there is inserted—

“(3)

For the purposes of this section “fixed-term prisoner” includes a person serving a sentence of imprisonment passed in respect of an offence under section 6(1) or (2) of the Bail Act 1976.”

(5)

In section 258 (early release for fine defaulters and contemnors), after subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1A)

This section also applies to a person serving a sentence of imprisonment passed in respect of a summary conviction for an offence under section 6(1) or (2) of the Bail Act 1976.”

(6)

In section 305(1) (interpretation of Part 12), in paragraph (c) of the definition of “sentence of imprisonment”, at the end there is inserted “(including contempt of court or any kindred offence)”.

Computer misuse

35Unauthorised access to computer material

(1)

In the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18) (“the 1990 Act”), section 1 (offence of unauthorised access to computer material) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)—

(a)

in paragraph (a), after “any computer” there is inserted “, or to enable any such access to be secured”;

(b)

in paragraph (b), after “secure” there is inserted “, or to enable to be secured,”.

(3)

For subsection (3) there is substituted—

“(3)

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a)

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b)

on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(c)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.”

36Unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of computer, etc

For section 3 of the 1990 Act (unauthorised modification of computer material) there is substituted—

“3Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of computer, etc.

(1)

A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)

he does any unauthorised act in relation to a computer;

(b)

at the time when he does the act he knows that it is unauthorised; and

(c)

either subsection (2) or subsection (3) below applies.

(2)

This subsection applies if the person intends by doing the act—

(a)

to impair the operation of any computer;

(b)

to prevent or hinder access to any program or data held in any computer;

(c)

to impair the operation of any such program or the reliability of any such data; or

(d)

to enable any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above to be done.

(3)

This subsection applies if the person is reckless as to whether the act will do any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (2) above.

(4)

The intention referred to in subsection (2) above, or the recklessness referred to in subsection (3) above, need not relate to—

(a)

any particular computer;

(b)

any particular program or data; or

(c)

a program or data of any particular kind.

(5)

In this section—

(a)

a reference to doing an act includes a reference to causing an act to be done;

(b)

“act” includes a series of acts;

(c)

a reference to impairing, preventing or hindering something includes a reference to doing so temporarily.

(6)

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a)

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b)

on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(c)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to a fine or to both.”

37Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences

After section 3 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—

“3AMaking, supplying or obtaining articles for use in offence under section 1 or 3

(1)

A person is guilty of an offence if he makes, adapts, supplies or offers to supply any article intending it to be used to commit, or to assist in the commission of, an offence under section 1 or 3.

(2)

A person is guilty of an offence if he supplies or offers to supply any article believing that it is likely to be used to commit, or to assist in the commission of, an offence under section 1 or 3.

(3)

A person is guilty of an offence if he obtains any article with a view to its being supplied for use to commit, or to assist in the commission of, an offence under section 1 or 3.

(4)

In this section “article” includes any program or data held in electronic form.

(5)

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a)

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b)

on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(c)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.”

38Transitional and saving provision

(1)

The amendments made by—

(a)

subsection (2) of section 35, and

(b)

paragraphs 19(2), 25(2) and 29(2) of Schedule 14,

apply only where every act or other event proof of which is required for conviction of an offence under section 1 of the 1990 Act takes place after that subsection comes into force.

(2)

The amendments made by—

(a)

subsection (3) of section 35, and

(b)

paragraphs 23, 24, 25(4) and (5), 26, 27(2) and (7) and 28 of Schedule 14,

do not apply in relation to an offence committed before that subsection comes into force.

(3)

An offence is not committed under the new section 3 unless every act or other event proof of which is required for conviction of the offence takes place after section 36 above comes into force.

(4)

In relation to a case where, by reason of subsection (3), an offence is not committed under the new section 3—

(a)

section 3 of the 1990 Act has effect in the form in which it was enacted;

(b)

paragraphs 19(3), 25(3) to (5), 27(4) and (5) and 29(3) and (4) of Schedule 14 do not apply.

(5)

An offence is not committed under the new section 3A unless every act or other event proof of which is required for conviction of the offence takes place after section 37 above comes into force.

(6)

In the case of an offence committed before section 154(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) comes into force, the following provisions have effect as if for “12 months” there were substituted “six months”—

(a)

paragraph (a) of the new section 1(3);

(b)

paragraph (a) of the new section 2(5);

(c)

subsection (6)(a) of the new section 3;

(d)

subsection (5)(a) of the new section 3A.

(7)

In this section—

(a)

“the new section 1(3)” means the subsection (3) substituted in section 1 of the 1990 Act by section 35 above;

(b)

“the new section 2(5)” means the subsection (5) substituted in section 2 of the 1990 Act by paragraph 17 of Schedule 14 to this Act;

(c)

“the new section 3” means the section 3 substituted in the 1990 Act by section 36 above;

(d)

“the new section 3A” means the section 3A inserted in the 1990 Act by section 37 above.

Forfeiture of indecent photographs of children

39Forfeiture of indecent photographs of children: England and Wales

(1)

The Protection of Children Act 1978 (c. 37) is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 4 (entry, search and seizure)—

(a)

subsection (3) is omitted;

(b)

for subsection (4) there is substituted—

“(4)

In this section “premises” has the same meaning as in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (see section 23 of that Act).”

(3)

For section 5 (forfeiture) there is substituted—

“5Forfeiture

The Schedule to this Act makes provision about the forfeiture of indecent photographs and pseudo-photographs.”

(4)

At the end of the Act there is inserted the Schedule set out in Schedule 11 to this Act.

(5)

The amendment made by paragraph (b) of subsection (2) has effect only in relation to warrants issued under section 4 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 after the commencement of that paragraph.

(6)

The amendments made by subsections (2)(a), (3) and (4) and Schedule 11 have effect whether the property in question was lawfully seized before or after the coming into force of those provisions.

This is subject to subsection (7).

(7)

Those amendments do not have effect in a case where the property has been brought before a justice of the peace under section 4(3) of the Protection of Children Act 1978 before the coming into force of those provisions.

40Forfeiture of indecent photographs of children: Northern Ireland

(1)

The Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1047 (N.I. 17)) is amended as follows.

(2)

In Article 4 (entry, search and seizure), for paragraph (2) there is substituted—

“(2)

In this Article “premises” has the same meaning as in the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)) (see Article 25 of that Order).”

(3)

For Articles 5 and 6 (forfeiture) there is substituted—

“Forfeiture5

The Schedule to this Order makes provision about the forfeiture of indecent photographs and pseudo-photographs.”

(4)

At the end of the Order there is inserted the Schedule set out in Schedule 12.

(5)

The amendment made by subsection (2) has effect only in relation to warrants granted under Article 4(1) of the Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 after the commencement of that subsection.

(6)

The amendments made by subsections (3) and (4) and Schedule 12 have effect whether the property in question was lawfully seized before or after the coming into force of those provisions.

This is subject to subsection (7).

(7)

Those amendments do not have effect in a case where the property has been brought before a resident magistrate under Article 5(1) of the Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1047 (N.I. 17)) before the coming into force of those provisions.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

41Immigration and asylum enforcement functions: complaints and misconduct

(1)

The Secretary of State may make regulations conferring functions on the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to—

(a)

the exercise by immigration officers of specified enforcement functions;

(b)

the exercise by officials of the Secretary of State of specified enforcement functions relating to immigration or asylum.

(2)

In subsection (1) the reference to enforcement functions includes, in particular, reference to—

(a)

powers of entry,

(b)

powers to search persons or property,

(c)

powers to seize or detain property,

(d)

powers to arrest persons,

(e)

powers to detain persons,

(f)

powers to examine persons or otherwise to obtain information (including powers to take fingerprints or to acquire other personal data), and

(g)

powers in connection with the removal of persons from the United Kingdom.

(3)

Regulations under subsection (1) may not confer functions on the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to the exercise by any person of a function conferred on him by or under Part 8 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33).

(4)

Regulations under subsection (1)—

(a)

may apply (with or without modification) or make provision similar to any provision of or made under Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30) (complaints);

(b)

may make provision for payment by the Secretary of State to or in respect of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

(5)

The Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration may disclose information to each other for the purposes of the exercise of a function—

(a)

by virtue of this section, or

(b)

under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13).

(6)

The Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration may jointly investigate a matter in relation to which—

(a)

the Independent Police Complaints Commission has functions by virtue of this section, and

(b)

the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has functions by virtue of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13).

(7)

Regulations under subsection (1) shall relate only to the exercise of functions in or in relation to England and Wales.

(8)

In this section “immigration officer” means a person appointed as an immigration officer under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77).

Extradition

42Amendments to the Extradition Act 2003 etc

Schedule 13 (which in Part 1 makes amendments to the Extradition Act 2003 (c. 41) and in Part 2 makes other amendments concerning extradition) has effect.

43Designation of United States of America

(1)

In article 3(2) of the Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 2 Territories) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3334) (territories designated for the purposes of sections 71, 73, 84 and 86 of the Extradition Act 2003) the entry for the United States of America is omitted.

(2)

An order bringing subsection (1) into force is not to be made—

(a)

within the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, or

(b)

if instruments of ratification of the 2003 treaty have been exchanged.

In this subsection “the 2003 treaty” means the Extradition Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America signed at Washington on 31st March 2003.

(3)

Subject to subsection (2), if after the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2)(a) a resolution is made by each House of Parliament that subsection (1) should come into force, the Secretary of State shall make an order under section 53 bringing it into force.

(4)

An order made by virtue of subsection (3) must bring subsection (1) into force no later than one month after the day on which the resolutions referred to in subsection (3) are made or, if they are made on different days, the day on which the later resolution is made.

(5)

If subsection (1) is brought into force, it does not affect the power of the Secretary of State to make a further order under section 71(4), 73(5), 84(7) or 86(7) of the Extradition Act 2003 amending article 3 of the Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 2 Territories) Order 2003 so as to add a reference to the United States of America.

(6)

An order such as is mentioned in subsection (5) may include provision repealing this section.

Repatriation of prisoners

(1)

Section 1 of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (c. 47) (issue of warrant for transfer) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1), for paragraph (c) there is substituted—

“(c)

in a case in which the terms of those arrangements provide for the prisoner to be transferred only with his consent, the prisoner’s consent has been given,”.

(3)

In subsection (5), for the words from the beginning to “was given” there is substituted “In such a case as is referred to in subsection (1)(c) above, the relevant Minister shall not issue a warrant under this Act unless he is satisfied that the prisoner’s consent was given”.

(4)

The amendments to section 1 of the 1984 Act in subsections (2) and (3) do not have effect in relation to any case in which the relevant Minister under that section is the Scottish Ministers.

Live links

45Attendance by accused at certain preliminary or sentencing hearings

For section 57 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) (use of live television links at preliminary hearings) there is substituted—

“Part 3ALive links for accused’s attendance at certain preliminary and sentencing hearings

57AIntroductory

(1)

This Part—

(a)

applies to preliminary hearings and sentencing hearings in the course of proceedings for an offence; and

(b)

enables the court in the circumstances provided for in sections 57B, 57C and 57E to direct the use of a live link for securing the accused’s attendance at a hearing to which this Part applies.

(2)

The accused is to be treated as present in court when, by virtue of a live link direction under this Part, he attends a hearing through a live link.

(3)

In this Part—

“custody”—

(a)

includes local authority accommodation to which a person is remanded or committed by virtue of section 23 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969; but

(b)

does not include police detention;

“live link” means an arrangement by which a person (when not in the place where the hearing is being held) is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the court during a hearing (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded);

“police detention” has the meaning given by section 118(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984;

“preliminary hearing” means a hearing in the proceedings held before the start of the trial (within the meaning of subsection (11A) or (11B) of section 22 of the 1985 Act) including, in the case of proceedings in the Crown Court, a preparatory hearing held under—

(a)

section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (cases of serious or complex fraud); or

(b)

section 29 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (other serious, complex or lengthy cases);

“sentencing hearing” means any hearing following conviction which is held for the purpose of—

(a)

proceedings relating to the giving or rescinding of a direction under section 57E;

(b)

proceedings (in a magistrates’ court) relating to committal to the Crown Court for sentencing; or

(c)

sentencing the offender or determining how the court should deal with him in respect of the offence.

57BUse of live link at preliminary hearings where accused is in custody

(1)

This section applies in relation to a preliminary hearing in a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court.

(2)

Where it appears to the court before which the preliminary hearing is to take place that the accused is likely to be held in custody during the hearing, the court may give a live link direction under this section in relation to the attendance of the accused at the hearing.

(3)

A live link direction under this section is a direction requiring the accused, if he is being held in custody during the hearing, to attend it through a live link from the place at which he is being held.

(4)

If a hearing takes place in relation to the giving or rescinding of such a direction, the court may require or permit a person attending the hearing to do so through a live link.

(5)

The court shall not give or rescind such a direction (whether at a hearing or otherwise) unless the parties to the proceedings have been given the opportunity to make representations.

(6)

If in a case where it has power to do so a magistrates’ court decides not to give a live link direction under this section, it must—

(a)

state in open court its reasons for not doing so; and

(b)

cause those reasons to be entered in the register of its proceedings.

57CUse of live link at preliminary hearings where accused is at police station

(1)

This section applies in relation to a preliminary hearing in a magistrates’ court.

(2)

Where subsection (3) or (4) applies to the accused, the court may give a live link direction in relation to his attendance at the preliminary hearing.

(3)

This subsection applies to the accused if—

(a)

he is in police detention at a police station in connection with the offence; and

(b)

it appears to the court that he is likely to remain at that station in police detention until the beginning of the preliminary hearing.

(4)

This subsection applies to the accused if he is at a police station in answer to live link bail in connection with the offence.

(5)

A live link direction under this section is a direction requiring the accused to attend the preliminary hearing through a live link from the police station.

(6)

But a direction given in relation to an accused to whom subsection (3) applies has no effect if he does not remain in police detention at the police station until the beginning of the preliminary hearing.

(7)

A live link direction under this section may not be given unless the accused has given his consent to the court.

(8)

A magistrates’ court may rescind a live link direction under this section at any time before or during a hearing to which it relates.

(9)

A magistrates’ court may require or permit—

(a)

the accused to give or withhold consent under subsection (7) through a live link; and

(b)

any party to the proceedings who wishes to make representations in relation to the giving or rescission of a live link direction under this section to do so through a live link.

(10)

Where a live link direction under this section is given in relation to an accused person who is answering to live link bail he is to be treated as having surrendered to the custody of the court (as from the time when the direction is given).

(11)

In this section, “live link bail” means bail granted under Part 4 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b) of that Act.”

57DContinued use of live link for sentencing hearing following a preliminary hearing

(1)

Subsection (2) applies where—

(a)

a live link direction under section 57B or 57C is in force;

(b)

the accused is attending a preliminary hearing through a live link by virtue of the direction;

(c)

the court convicts him of the offence in the course of that hearing (whether by virtue of a guilty plea or an indication of an intention to plead guilty); and

(d)

the court proposes to continue the hearing as a sentencing hearing in relation to the offence.

(2)

The accused may continue to attend through the live link by virtue of the direction if—

(a)

the hearing is continued as a sentencing hearing in relation to the offence;

(b)

the accused consents to his continuing to attend through the live link; and

(c)

the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice for him to do so.

(3)

But the accused may not give oral evidence through the live link during a continued hearing under subsection (2) unless—

(a)

he consents to give evidence in that way; and

(b)

the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice for him to give it in that way.

57EUse of live link in sentencing hearings

(1)

This section applies where the accused is convicted of the offence.

(2)

If it appears to the court by or before which the accused is convicted that it is likely that he will be held in custody during any sentencing hearing for the offence, the court may give a live link direction under this section in relation to that hearing.

(3)

A live link direction under this section is a direction requiring the accused, if he is being held in custody during the hearing, to attend it through a live link from the place at which he is being held.

(4)

Such a direction—

(a)

may be given by the court of its own motion or on an application by a party; and

(b)

may be given in relation to all subsequent sentencing hearings before the court or to such hearing or hearings as may be specified or described in the direction.

(5)

The court may not give such a direction unless—

(a)

the offender has given his consent to the direction; and

(b)

the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice to give the direction.

(6)

The court may rescind such a direction at any time before or during a hearing to which it relates if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so (but this does not affect the court’s power to give a further live link direction in relation to the offender).

The court may exercise this power of its own motion or on an application by a party.

(7)

The offender may not give oral evidence while attending a hearing through a live link by virtue of this section unless—

(a)

he consents to give evidence in that way; and

(b)

the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice for him to give it in that way.

(8)

The court must—

(a)

state in open court its reasons for refusing an application for, or for the rescission of, a live link direction under this section; and

(b)

if it is a magistrates’ court, cause those reasons to be entered in the register of its proceedings.”

46Live link bail

(1)

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) is amended as follows.

(2)

After section 34(7) (persons who are to be treated as arrested) there is inserted—

“(8)

Subsection (7) does not apply in relation to a person who is granted bail subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b) and who either—

(a)

attends a police station to answer to such bail, or

(b)

is arrested under section 46A for failing to do so,

(provision as to the treatment of such persons for the purposes of this Part being made by section 46ZA).”

(3)

After section 46 (detention after charge) there is inserted—

“46ZAPersons granted live link bail

(1)

This section applies in relation to bail granted under this Part subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b) (“live link bail”).

(2)

An accused person who attends a police station to answer to live link bail is not to be treated as in police detention for the purposes of this Act.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an accused person if—

(a)

at any time before the beginning of proceedings in relation to a live link direction under section 57C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to him, he informs a constable that he does not intend to give his consent to the direction;

(b)

at any such time, a constable informs him that a live link will not be available for his use for the purposes of that section;

(c)

proceedings in relation to a live link direction under that section have begun but he does not give his consent to the direction; or

(d)

the court determines for any other reason not to give such a direction.

(4)

If any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (3) apply in relation to a person, he is to be treated for the purposes of this Part—

(a)

as if he had been arrested for and charged with the offence in connection with which he was granted bail, and

(b)

as if he had been so charged at the time when that paragraph first applied in relation to him.

(5)

An accused person who is arrested under section 46A for failing to attend at a police station to answer to live link bail, and who is brought to a police station in accordance with that section, is to be treated for the purposes of this Part—

(a)

as if he had been arrested for and charged with the offence in connection with which he was granted bail, and

(b)

as if he had been so charged at the time when he is brought to the station.

(6)

Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) affects the operation of section 47(6).”

(4)

In section 46A (power of arrest for failure to answer to police bail) after subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1ZA)

The reference in subsection (1) to a person who fails to attend at a police station at the time appointed for him to do so includes a reference to a person who—

(a)

attends at a police station to answer to bail granted subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b), but

(b)

leaves the police station at any time before the beginning of proceedings in relation to a live link direction under section 57C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to him, without informing a constable that he does not intend to give his consent to the direction.”

(5)

In section 47 (bail after arrest) —

(a)

in subsection (3), for paragraphs (a) and (b) and the words following them there is substituted—

“(a)

to appear before a magistrates’ court at such time and such place as the custody officer may appoint;

(b)

to attend at such police station as the custody officer may appoint at such time as he may appoint for the purposes of—

(i)

proceedings in relation to a live link direction under section 57C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (use of live link direction at preliminary hearings where accused is at police station); and

(ii)

any preliminary hearing in relation to which such a direction is given; or

(c)

to attend at such police station as the custody officer may appoint at such time as he may appoint for purposes other than those mentioned in paragraph (b).”;

(b)

in subsection (7), at the end there is inserted “or to a person to whom section 46ZA(4) or (5) applies”.

(6)

In section 54 (searches of detained persons), in subsection (1)(b), after “37 above” there is inserted “or as a person to whom section 46ZA(4) or (5) applies”.

47Evidence of vulnerable accused

After section 33 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (c. 23) (interpretation etc of Chapter 1 of Part 2) there is inserted—

“Chapter 1AUse of live link for evidence of certain accused persons

33ALive link directions

(1)

This section applies to any proceedings (whether in a magistrates’ court or before the Crown Court) against a person for an offence.

(2)

The court may, on the application of the accused, give a live link direction if it is satisfied—

(a)

that the conditions in subsection (4) or, as the case may be, subsection (5) are met in relation to the accused, and

(b)

that it is in the interests of justice for the accused to give evidence through a live link.

(3)

A live link direction is a direction that any oral evidence to be given before the court by the accused is to be given through a live link.

(4)

Where the accused is aged under 18 when the application is made, the conditions are that—

(a)

his ability to participate effectively in the proceedings as a witness giving oral evidence in court is compromised by his level of intellectual ability or social functioning, and

(b)

use of a live link would enable him to participate more effectively in the proceedings as a witness (whether by improving the quality of his evidence or otherwise).

(5)

Where the accused has attained the age of 18 at that time, the conditions are that—

(a)

he suffers from a mental disorder (within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983) or otherwise has a significant impairment of intelligence and social function,

(b)

he is for that reason unable to participate effectively in the proceedings as a witness giving oral evidence in court, and

(c)

use of a live link would enable him to participate more effectively in the proceedings as a witness (whether by improving the quality of his evidence or otherwise).

(6)

While a live link direction has effect the accused may not give oral evidence before the court in the proceedings otherwise than through a live link.

(7)

The court may discharge a live link direction at any time before or during any hearing to which it applies if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so (but this does not affect the power to give a further live link direction in relation to the accused).

The court may exercise this power of its own motion or on an application by a party.

(8)

The court must state in open court its reasons for—

(a)

giving or discharging a live link direction, or

(b)

refusing an application for or for the discharge of a live link direction,

and, if it is a magistrates’ court, it must cause those reasons to be entered in the register of its proceedings.

33BSection 33A: meaning of “live link”

(1)

In section 33A “live link” means an arrangement by which the accused, while absent from the place where the proceedings are being held, is able—

(a)

to see and hear a person there, and

(b)

to be seen and heard by the persons mentioned in subsection (2),

and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded.

(2)

The persons are—

(a)

the judge or justices (or both) and the jury (if there is one),

(b)

where there are two or more accused in the proceedings, each of the other accused,

(c)

legal representatives acting in the proceedings, and

(d)

any interpreter or other person appointed by the court to assist the accused.

33CSaving

Nothing in this Chapter affects—

(a)

any power of a court to make an order, give directions or give leave of any description in relation to any witness (including an accused), or

(b)

the operation of any rule of law relating to evidence in criminal proceedings.”

48Appeals under Part 1 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968

(1)

In section 22 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c. 19) (right of appellant to be present at criminal appeal hearings in Court of Appeal), after subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(4)

The Court of Appeal may give a live link direction in relation to a hearing at which the appellant is expected to be in custody but is entitled to be present (by virtue of subsection (1) or leave given under subsection (2)) at any time before the beginning of that hearing.

(5)

For this purpose—

(a)

a “live link direction” is a direction that the appellant (if he is being held in custody at the time of the hearing) is to attend the hearing through a live link from the place at which he is held; and

(b)

“live link” means an arrangement by which the appellant is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the Court of Appeal (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded).

(6)

The Court of Appeal—

(a)

must not give a live link direction unless the parties to the appeal have had the opportunity to make representations about the giving of such a direction; and

(b)

may rescind a live link direction at any time before or during any hearing to which it applies (whether of its own motion or on the application of a party).”

(2)

In section 23 of that Act (giving of evidence), after subsection (4) there is inserted—

“(5)

A live link direction under section 22(4) does not apply to the giving of oral evidence by the appellant at any hearing unless that direction, or any subsequent direction of the court, provides expressly for the giving of such evidence through a live link.”

(3)

In section 31(2) of that Act (powers exercisable by single judge), after paragraph (c) there is inserted—

“(ca)

to give a live link direction under section 22(4);”.