Serious Crime Act 2007

Serious Crime Act 2007

2007 CHAPTER 27

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Serious Crime Prevention Orders.General

Supplementary

Section 37 and Schedule 2: Functions of applicant authorities

126. This section gives effect to Schedule 2 which provides for the functions of the applicant authorities that can make applications for orders (Director of Public Prosecutions, Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions, Director of the Serious Fraud Office and Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland). These functions include applying for serious crime prevention orders, or the variation or discharge of an order; appearing on applications by others for the variation or discharge of an order; having the conduct of or appearing in any other proceedings about a serious crime prevention order; providing advice about any proceedings or possible proceedings in connection with a serious crime prevention order; or anything for the purposes of, or in connection with, these functions. Special provision has to be made because functions in relation to serious crime prevention orders fall outside the usual prosecutorial functions of the Directors.

127. Paragraphs 1 to 5 of Schedule 2 list the functions of the Director of Public Prosecutions under Part 1 of the Act and provide that he can delegate his functions to a Crown Prosecutor (paragraph 2). Paragraphs 6 to 11 of this Schedule list the functions of the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions under Part 1 of the Act and provide that he can delegate his functions to a Revenue and Customs Prosecutor (paragraph 7). Paragraphs 12 to 15 of this Schedule list the functions of the Director of the Serious Fraud Office under Part 1 of the Act and provide that he can delegate his functions to a member of the Serious Fraud Office (paragraph 13). The powers to delegate alter the usual position in relation to the carrying out of functions on behalf of the Directors by their staff. A Director must expressly delegate his functions rather than it occurring automatically. This is intended to ensure that the exercise of the powers is kept under tight control by the Directors.

128. Paragraphs 3, 8 and 14 provide that the functions of the Directors are exercisable under the superintendence of the Attorney General.

129. Paragraphs 16 to 20 of this Schedule list the functions of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland under Part 1 of the Act and make provision about the exercising of those functions.