51Application for exclusion from automatic forfeiture

51 Application for exclusion from automatic forfeiture S. 51(1) amended by Nos 43/1998 s. 36(m), 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 23.39). (1) If property is forfeited to the Minister under section 35, a person (other than the accused) who claims to have had an interest in the property immediately before it was forfeited may, subject to subsections (2) and (4), apply to the court that made the relevant restraining order for an order under section 52. S. 51(2) amended by No. 43/1998 s. 36(m). (2) The application must, subject to subsection (3), be made before the end of the period of 60 days commencing on the day on which the property is forfeited to the Minister. S. 51(3) amended by Nos 77/2013 s. 13(1), 44/2022 s. 19(1). (3) Subject to subsections (5A) and (5B), the court that made the relevant restraining order may grant a person leave to apply after the end of the period referred to in subsection (2) if it is satisfied that the delay in making the application is not due to neglect on the part of the applicant. (4) An application for an order under section 52 in relation to an interest in property must not be made by a person who was given notice of— (a) proceedings on the application for the relevant restraining order; or (b) the making of the relevant restraining order— except with the leave of the court that made the relevant restraining order. S. 51(5) amended by Nos 42/2007 s. 18(Sch. item 15), 77/2013 s. 13(1), 44/2022 s. 19(1). (5) Subject to subsections (5A) and (5B), the court may grant a person leave under subsection (4) to make an application if the court is satisfied that the person's failure to seek to have that person's interest in the property excluded from the relevant restraining order was not due to neglect on the part of the applicant. S. 51(5A) inserted by No. 77/2013 s. 13(2). (5A) The court may not grant a person leave under subsection (3) or (5) to make an application in respect of property that has been disposed of in accordance with section 44. S. 51(5B) inserted by No. 44/2022 s. 19(2). (5B) The court may not grant a person leave under subsection (3) or (5) to make an application in respect of property that is money if the money was forfeited more than 6 months before the application for leave. (6) An applicant must give written notice of the application, and of the grounds on which it is made— (a) to the DPP; and S. 51(6)(b) amended by No. 77/2013 s. 13(3)(a). (b) to any person whom the applicant has reason to believe had an interest in the property immediately before it was forfeited; and S. 51(6)(c) inserted by No. 77/2013 s. 13(3)(b). (7) Any person notified under subsection (6) is entitled to appear and to give evidence at the hearing of the application but the absence of that person does not prevent the court from making an order under section 52. (8) If the DPP proposes to contest an application for an exclusion order, the DPP must give the applicant written notice of the grounds on which the application is to be contested.