25Notifications by Commissioner of Victims Rights

25 Notifications by Commissioner of Victims Rights

25 Notifications by Commissioner of Victims Rights

(1) The Commissioner of Victims Rights must give notice in writing of the following to a registered victim of a forensic patient—

(a) particulars of proposed orders to be sought in relation to the forensic patient at a hearing of the Tribunal and the location of that hearing,

(b) particulars of the reasons for a decision by the Tribunal about an application for a grant of leave to, or the release of, the forensic patient,

(c) if there is an application for an extension order or interim extension order or an extension order or interim extension order is made in relation to the forensic patient,

(d) safety concerns relating to the victim known to the Commissioner in relation to a hearing before the Tribunal or arising out of a breach of an order relating to the forensic patient,

(e) if the forensic patient is reclassified as an involuntary patient.

(2) Despite subclause (1), notice may be given by telephone if the Commissioner is of the opinion that there is a risk of immediate harm to the victim or another person.

(3) The Commissioner must give notice in writing to the victim of a matter within 1 business day after notice is given of the matter to the victim by telephone.

(4) Notice under this clause must be given in a timely manner.

Note.

Section 6A of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013 applies the Charter of rights of victims of crime to victims of forensic patients making submissions to the Tribunal. In particular, that section requires victims to be notified in a timely way of the release of or granting of leave to a forensic patient.