57Return of seized electrical articles and gas appliances

#### 57 Return of seized electrical articles and gas appliances 57 Return of seized electrical articles and gas appliances > > (1) The Secretary must, within the prescribed period, return a seized article or appliance to the person from whom it was seized. > > > (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if, within the prescribed period— > > > > > (a) the Secretary has determined that the article or appliance is unsafe and applied under section 58 for the forfeiture of the article or appliance, or > > > > > (b) proceedings are brought against the person or any other person in connection with the article or appliance for an offence against this Act or the regulations. > > > (3) The Secretary must provide compensation for the seized article or appliance if, within the prescribed period— > > > > > (a) the Secretary does not find the article or appliance to be unsafe or apply for the forfeiture of the article or appliance, or > > > > > (b) proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations are not brought against a person in connection with the article or appliance. > > > (4) If proceedings are brought within the prescribed period against a person in connection with a seized article or appliance for an offence against this Act or the regulations— > > > > > (a) the Secretary may retain the article or appliance until the proceedings are finally determined, and > > > > > (b) the Secretary must immediately return the article or appliance to the person from whom it was seized if the defendant in the proceedings is acquitted of the offence. > > > (5) Compensation provided under this section is to be determined in accordance with the regulations. > > > (6) In this section— > > > > prescribed period means no later than 12 months after the seizure or, if the regulations prescribe a different period, the period so prescribed.