Sentencing Act 2020

86 Making of referral order: general

(1) A referral order must specify—

(a) the youth offending team which is to establish a youth offender panel for the offender, and

(b) the period for which any youth offender contract which takes effect by virtue of the order is to have effect.

(2) That period must be—

(a) not less than 3 months, and

(b) not more than 12 months.

(3) The youth offending team specified in the order must be the team which has the function of implementing referral orders in the area in which it appears to the court that the offender resides or will reside.

(4) On making a referral order the court must explain to the offender in ordinary language—

(a) the effect of the order, and

(b) the consequences which may follow—

(i) if no youth offender contract takes effect between the offender and the panel, or

(ii) if the offender breaches a youth offender contract.

Nothing in this subsection affects the court’s duty under section 52 (duty to give reasons for and explain effect of sentence).