2(1)In section 20 of the Act of 1991 (statements as to offenders' means) the following shall be substituted for subsection (1)—
“(1)Where a person has been convicted of an offence, the court may, before sentencing him, make a financial circumstances order with respect to him.
(1A)Where a magistrates' court has been notified in accordance with section 12(2) of the [1980 c. 43.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 that a person desires to plead guilty without appearing before the court, the court may make a financial circumstances order with respect to him.
(1B)Before exercising its powers under section 55 of the [1933 c. 12.] Children and Young Persons Act 1933 against the parent or guardian of any person who has been convicted of an offence, the court may make a financial circumstances order with respect to the parent or (as the case may be) guardian.
(1C)In this section “a financial circumstances order” means, in relation to any person, an order requiring him to give to the court, within such period as may be specified in the order, such a statement of his financial circumstances as the court may require.”.
(2)In subsections (2) and (3) of section 20 of the Act of 1991, for the words “an order under subsection (1) above” there shall be substituted “a financial circumstances order”.
(3)Section 20(5) of the Act of 1991 shall cease to have effect.