This section applies where—
a youth offender contract has taken effect,
the compliance period is less than 12 months,
the compliance period has not ended, and
having regard to circumstances which have arisen since the contract took effect, it appears to the youth offender panel to be in the interests of justice for the length of the compliance period to be extended.
The panel may refer the offender back to court requesting the appropriate court to extend the length of the compliance period.
The requested period of extension must not be more than 3 months.