53Discretion to make or vary bail decision without bail application

53 Discretion to make or vary bail decision without bail application

53 Discretion to make or vary bail decision without bail application

(1) A court with power to hear a bail application may, of its own motion, on a first appearance by an accused person for an offence—

(a) grant bail to the person (with or without the imposition of bail conditions), or

(b) vary a previous bail decision made for the offence (but not so as to refuse bail).

(2) A court may exercise a power under this section only to benefit the accused person.

(3) This section does not limit the powers of a court when a bail application is made.

(4) This section does not permit the grant of bail, without a bail application, for a show cause offence.

s 53: Am 2014 No 52, Sch 1 [19]; 2025 No 61, Sch 3.1[2].