PART 3Parole Board proceedings
Procedure after a provisional decision on the papers20.
(1)
Where a panel appointed under rule 5(1) has made a decision that a prisoner is unsuitable for release under rule 19(1)(b), the prisoner may apply in writing for a panel at an oral hearing to determine the case.
(2)
A prisoner who makes an application under paragraph (1) must serve the application, together with reasons for making an application, on the Board and the Secretary of State, within 28 days of the provision of the written record under rule 19(8).
(3)
If no application has been served by the prisoner under paragraph (2) after the expiry of the period specified by that paragraph, a provisional decision made under rule 19(1)(b)—
(a)
remains provisional if it is eligible for reconsideration under rule 28, and becomes final if no application for reconsideration is received within the period specified by that rule, or
(b)
becomes final if it is not eligible for reconsideration under rule 28.
(4)
Where no application is served by a prisoner under paragraph (2), the decision must be provided to the parties by the Board within 35 days of the written record under rule 19(8).
(5)
If an application is served in accordance with paragraph (2), the decision about whether the case should be determined at an oral hearing must be taken by a member of the Board who—
(a)
is a duty member, and
(b)
was not part of the constituted panel appointed under rule 5(1) who made the provisional decision.
(6)
If the decision taken under paragraph (5) is that the case should not be determined at an oral hearing, a provisional decision under rule 19(1)(b)—
(a)
remains provisional if it is eligible for reconsideration under rule 28 and becomes final if no application for reconsideration is received within the period specified by that rule, or
(b)
becomes final if it is not eligible for reconsideration under rule 28.
(7)
Where the decision taken under paragraph (5) is that the case should not be determined at an oral hearing, that decision must be provided to the parties by the Board within 35 days of the written record under rule 19(8).
(8)
A decision under paragraph (5) cannot be deferred or adjourned by a panel chair or duty member under rule 6 and the time limit in paragraph (7) cannot be extended under rule 9.