233Retention and return of seized documents or things

233 Retention and return of seized documents or things

(1) If an authorised officer seizes a document or other thing under this Division and the reason for its seizure no longer exists, the authorised officer must take reasonable steps to return the document or thing to its owner or the person from whom it was seized.

(2) If a document or thing seized under this Division is not returned within 3 months after it was seized, the authorised officer must take reasonable steps to return it unless—

(a) the proceeding, the purpose for which the document or thing was seized, commenced within that 3 month period and that proceeding (including any appeal or review) is not completed; or

(b) the investigation has not been completed within that 3 month period; or

(c) the Magistrates' Court makes an order under section 234 extending the period during which the seized document or thing may be retained.