Criminal Justice Act 1988

[72A F1 Postponed determinations. E+W

(1) Where a court is acting under section 71 above but considers that it requires further information before—

(a) determining whether the defendant has benefited [F2 from any relevant criminal conduct]][F3 or];

F4 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) determining the amount to be recovered in his case F5 . . .,

it may, for the purpose of enabling that information to be obtained, postpone making that determination for such period as it may specify.

(2) More than one postponement may be made under subsection (1) above in relation to the same case.

(3) Unless it is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances, the court shall not specify a period under subsection (1) above which—

(a) by itself; or

(b) where there have been one or more previous postponements under subsection (1) above or (4) below, when taken together with the earlier specified period or periods,

exceeds six months beginning with the date of conviction.

(4) Where the defendant appeals against his conviction, the court may, on that account—

(a) postpone making any of the determinations mentioned in subsection (1) above for such period as it may specify; or

(b) where it has already exercised its powers under this section to postpone, extend the specified period.

(5) A postponement or extension under subsection (1) or (4) above may be made—

(a) on application by the defendant or the prosecutor; or

(b) by the court of its own motion.

(6) Unless the court is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances, any postponement or extension under subsection (4) above shall not exceed the period ending three months after the date on which the appeal is determined or otherwise disposed of.

(7) Where the court exercises its power under subsection (1) or (4) above, it may nevertheless proceed to sentence, or otherwise deal with, the defendant in respect of the offence or any of the offences concerned.

[F6 (8) Where the court has so proceeded—

(a) subsection (1) of section 71 above shall have effect as if the words from “before sentencing" onwards were omitted;

(b) that section shall further have effect as if references to an offence that will be taken into consideration in determining any sentence included references to an offence that has been so taken into account; and

(c) section 72(5) above shall have effect as if after “determining" there were inserted “in relation to any offence in respect of which he has not been sentenced or otherwise dealt with".]

(9) In sentencing, or otherwise dealing with, the defendant in respect of the offence, or any of the offences, concerned at any time during the specified period, the court shall not—

(a) impose any fine on him; or

(b) make any such order as is mentioned in section 72(5)(b) or (c) above.

[F7 (9A) Where the court has sentenced the defendant under subsection (7) above during the specified period it may, after the end of that period, vary the sentence by imposing a fine or making any such order as is mentioned in section 72(5)(b) or (c) above so long as it does so within a period corresponding to that allowed by section 47(2) or (3) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (time allowed for varying a sentence) but beginning with the end of the specified period.]

(10) In this section, references to an appeal include references to an application under section 111 of the M1 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (statement of case by magistrates’ court).

(11) In this section “the date of conviction” means—

(a) the date on which the defendant was convicted of the offence concerned, or

(b) where he was convicted in the same proceedings, but on different dates, of two or more offences which [F8 are comprised in relevant criminal conduct], the date of the latest of those convictions.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 72A inserted (3.2.1995) by 1993 c. 36, s. 28; S.I. 1995/43, art. 2

F2 Words in s. 72A(1)(a) substituted (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

F3 Word in s. 72A(1)(a) inserted (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

F4 S. 72A(1)(b) repealed (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1)(4), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(b), Sch.2; S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

F5 Words in s. 72A(1)(c) repealed (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1)(4), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(c), Sch.2; S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

F6 S. 72A(8) substituted (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(3); S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

F7 S. 72A(9A) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 36; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2, Sch. 1 Appendix A

F8 Words in s. 72A(11)(b) substituted (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 11, s. 15(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(4); S.I. 1995/2650, art.2

Marginal Citations

M1 1980 c. 43.