Explanatory Notes

Sexual Offences Act 2003

2003 CHAPTER 42

20 November 2003

Commentary on Sections

Part 2: Notification and Orders

Section 110: SOPOs and interim SOPOs: appeals

227.Section 110 provides for appeals against the making of an order or an interim order. The appeals process should be used where the offender is challenging the fact that an order has been imposed.

228.Subsections (1) and (2) explain the process by which an appeal should be brought depending on the circumstances in which the order was made. Where an order was imposed on the court’s dealing with an offender for an offence listed in Schedule 3 or Schedule 5, the offender should follow the usual appeal process that would apply if he were appealing against sentence. So, where the order was made in the Crown Court, the appeal against the order should be made to the Court of Appeal. Where the order was made in the magistrates’ court or the youth court, the appeal is to the Crown Court.

229.Where the order was made following an application by the police in respect of an offender in the community, the appeal will lie to the Crown Court.

230.Subsection (5) relates to orders made by the Crown Court following an appeal against an order imposed on an offender in the community. It provides that the order made by the Crown Court is to be treated as if it was made by the magistrates’ court that imposed the original order, for the purposes of determining where any application for variation, renewal or discharge should be heard (under section 108 or 109).