Section 51
1 The Bail Act 1976 (c. 63) has effect subject to the following amendments.
2 In section 3 (general provisions) for subsection (6ZAA) substitute—
“(6ZAA) The requirements which may be imposed under subsection (6) include electronic monitoring requirements.
The imposition of electronic monitoring requirements is subject to section 3AA (in the case of a child or young person), section 3AB (in the case of other persons) and section 3AC (in all cases).
(6ZAB) In this section and sections 3AA to 3AC “electronic monitoring requirements” means requirements imposed for the purpose of securing the electronic monitoring of a person’s compliance with any other requirement imposed on him as a condition of bail.”
3 (1) Section 3AA (electronic monitoring of compliance with bail conditions) is amended as follows.
(2) In the heading to the section, for “Electronic monitoring of compliance with bail conditions” substitute “Conditions for the imposition of electronic monitoring requirements: children and young persons”.
(3) For subsection (1) substitute—
“(1) A court may not impose electronic monitoring requirements on a child or young person unless each of the following conditions is met.”
(4) For subsection (4) substitute—
“(4) The third condition is that the court is satisfied that the necessary provision for dealing with the person concerned can be made under arrangements for the electronic monitoring of persons released on bail that are currently available in each local justice area which is a relevant area.’”
(5) In subsection (5), for “such a requirement” substitute “electronic monitoring requirements”.
(6) Subsections (6) to (10) and (12) (which are superseded by section 3AC) are omitted.
4 After section 3AA insert—
(1) A court may not impose electronic monitoring requirements on a person who has attained the age of seventeen unless each of the following conditions is met.
(2) The first condition is that the court is satisfied that without the electronic monitoring requirements the person would not be granted bail.
(3) The second condition is that the court is satisfied that the necessary provision for dealing with the person concerned can be made under arrangements for the electronic monitoring of persons released on bail that are currently available in each local justice area which is a relevant area.
(4) If the person is aged seventeen, the third condition is that a youth offending team has informed the court that in its opinion the imposition of electronic monitoring requirements will be suitable in his case.
(1) Where a court imposes electronic monitoring requirements as a condition of bail, the requirements must include provision for making a person responsible for the monitoring.
(2) A person may not be made responsible for the electronic monitoring of a person on bail unless he is of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
(3) The Secretary of State may make rules for regulating—
(a) the electronic monitoring of persons on bail;
(b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), the functions of persons made responsible for such monitoring.
(4) The rules may make different provision for different cases.
(5) Any power of the Secretary of State to make an order or rules under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument.
(6) A statutory instrument containing rules under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(7) For the purposes of section 3AA or 3AB a local justice area is a relevant area in relation to a proposed electronic monitoring requirement if the court considers that it will not be practicable to secure the electronic monitoring in question unless electronic monitoring arrangements are available in that area.
(8) Nothing in sections 3, 3AA or 3AB is to be taken to require the Secretary of State to ensure that arrangements are made for the electronic monitoring of persons released on bail.”
Section 52
1 The Bail Act 1976 (c. 63) is amended as follows.
2 In section 3(6D)(a) (condition to be imposed on person in relation to whom paragraph 6B(1)(a) to (c) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to that Act apply), after “apply” insert “(including where P is a person to whom the provisions of Part 1A of Schedule 1 apply)”.
3 After section 9 (offence of agreeing to indemnify sureties in criminal proceedings) insert—
(1) This section applies whenever—
(a) a magistrates' court is considering whether to withhold or grant bail in relation to a person aged under 18 who is accused of a scheduled offence; and
(b) the trial of that offence has not begun.
(2) The court shall, before deciding whether to withhold or grant bail, consider whether, having regard to any representations made by the prosecutor or the accused person, the value involved does not exceed the relevant sum for the purposes of section 22.
(3) The duty in subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an offence if—
(a) a determination under subsection (4) has already been made in relation to that offence; or
(b) the accused person is, in relation to any other offence of which he is accused which is not a scheduled offence, a person to whom Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act applies.
(4) If where the duty in subsection (2) applies it appears to the court clear that, for the offence in question, the amount involved does not exceed the relevant sum, the court shall make a determination to that effect.
(5) In this section—
(a) “relevant sum” has the same meaning as in section 22(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (certain either way offences to be tried summarily if value involved is less than the relevant sum);
(b) “scheduled offence” means an offence mentioned in Schedule 2 to that Act (offences for which the value involved is relevant to the mode of trial); and
(c) “the value involved” is to be construed in accordance with section 22(10) to (12) of that Act.”
4 Schedule 1 (persons entitled to bail: supplementary provisions) is amended as follows.
5 (1) Paragraph 1 (defendants to whom Part 1 applies) becomes sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph.
(2) In that sub-paragraph at the beginning insert “Subject to sub-paragraph (2),”.
(3) After that sub-paragraph insert—
“(2) But those provisions do not apply by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(a) if the offence, or each of the offences punishable with imprisonment, is—
(a) a summary offence; or
(b) an offence mentioned in Schedule 2 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (offences for which the value involved is relevant to the mode of trial) in relation to which—
(i) a determination has been made under section 22(2) of that Act (certain either way offences to be tried summarily if value involved is less than the relevant sum) that it is clear that the value does not exceed the relevant sum for the purposes of that section; or
(ii) a determination has been made under section 9A(4) of this Act to the same effect.”
6 After Part 1 insert—
1 The following provisions of this Part apply to the defendant if—
(a) the offence or one of the offences of which he is accused or convicted is punishable with imprisonment, but
(b) Part 1 does not apply to him by virtue of paragraph 1(2) of that Part.
2 The defendant need not be granted bail if—
(a) it appears to the court that, having been previously granted bail in criminal proceedings, he has failed to surrender to custody in accordance with his obligations under the grant of bail; and
(b) the court believes, in view of that failure, that the defendant, if released on bail (whether subject to conditions or not) would fail to surrender to custody.
3 The defendant need not be granted bail if—
(a) it appears to the court that the defendant was on bail in criminal proceedings on the date of the offence; and
(b) the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the defendant, if released on bail (whether subject to conditions or not) would commit an offence while on bail.
4 The defendant need not be granted bail if the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the defendant, if released on bail (whether subject to conditions or not), would commit an offence while on bail by engaging in conduct that would, or would be likely to, cause—
(a) physical or mental injury to any person other than the defendant; or
(b) any person other than the defendant to fear physical or mental injury.
5 The defendant need not be granted bail if the court is satisfied that the defendant should be kept in custody for his own protection or, if he is a child or young person, for his own welfare.
6 The defendant need not be granted bail if he is in custody in pursuance of a sentence of a court or a sentence imposed by an officer under the Armed Forces Act 2006.
7 The defendant need not be granted bail if —
(a) having been released on bail in or in connection with the proceedings for the offence, he has been arrested in pursuance of section 7 of this Act; and
(b) the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the defendant, if released on bail (whether subject to conditions or not) would fail to surrender to custody, commit an offence while on bail or interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice (whether in relation to himself or any other person).
8 The defendant need not be granted bail where the court is satisfied that it has not been practicable to obtain sufficient information for the purpose of taking the decisions required by this Part of this Schedule for want of time since the institution of the proceedings against him.
9 Paragraphs 6A to 6C of Part 1 (exception applicable to drug users in certain areas and related provisions) apply to a defendant to whom this Part applies as they apply to a defendant to whom that Part applies.”