Section 88F: Review of the indefinite notification requirements: application to a sheriff, Sexual Offences Act 2003

Where a relevant chief constable fails to comply with section 88C(1), 88D(3) or 88E(1), the relevant sex offender may make an application to a sheriff for an order that the offender is no longer subject to the notification requirements of this Part.

An application under subsection (1) is to be made by summary application to the sheriff in whose sheriffdom the relevant sex offender resides.

On an application under subsection (1), the sheriff may—

make the order sought in the application; or

make a notification continuation order in respect of the relevant sex offender.

Section 88C(2) to (5) and (7) applies in relation to the making of a notification continuation order under this section, but—

a reference to the relevant chief constable is to be read as a reference to the sheriff;

if an application under subsection (1) is made in relation to the failure of the relevant chief constable to comply with section 88D(3), the reference to the date of discharge in section 88C(2) is to be read as a reference to the applicable date; and

if an application under subsection (1) is made in relation to the failure of the relevant chief constable to comply with section 88E(1), the reference to the date of discharge in section 88C(2) is to be read as a reference to the further date of discharge.

The relevant chief constable and the relevant sex offender may appear or be represented at any hearing in respect of the application.

Where an application under subsection (1) is determined, the sheriff clerk must send a copy of the interlocutor, and where made a copy of the notification continuation order, to the relevant sex offender and the relevant chief constable.

The copy of the interlocutor, and where made the copy of the notification continuation order, is sent in accordance with subsection (6) if—

sent by registered post or by the recorded delivery service (an acknowledgement or certificate of delivery of a copy so sent, issued by the Post Office, being sufficient evidence of the delivery of the copy on the day specified in the acknowledgement or certificate); or

personally served on the relevant sex offender and the relevant chief constable.

The relevant sex offender remains subject to the notification requirements of this Part until the matter is finally determined as mentioned in section 88G(10).

Section 88F: Review of the indefinite notification requirements: application to a sheriff

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