PART VI Mental Disorder
Appeals under Part VI
62 Appeal by accused F5not criminally responsible or unfit for trial .
1
A person may appeal to the F3appropriate Appeal Court against—
a
a finding made under section 54(1) of this Act that he is F2unfit for trial so that his trial cannot proceed or continue, or the refusal of the court to make such a finding;
b
a finding under section 55(2) of this Act; or
c
an order made under section 57(2) of this Act.
2
An appeal under subsection (1) above shall be—
a
in writing; and
b
lodged—
i
in the case of an appeal under paragraph (a) of that subsection, not later than seven days after the date of the finding or refusal which is the subject of the appeal;
ii
in the case of an appeal under paragraph (b), or both paragraphs (b) and (c) of that subsection, not later than 28 days after the conclusion of the examination of facts;
iii
in the case of an appeal under paragraph (c) of that subsection against an order made on an acquittal, by F4reason of the special defence set out in section 51A of this Act , not later than 14 days after the date of the acquittal;
iv
in the case of an appeal under that paragraph against an order made on a finding under section 55(2), not later than 14 days after the conclusion of the examination of facts,
or within such longer period as the F7appropriate Appeal Court may, on cause shown, allow.
3
Where the examination of facts was held in connection with proceedings on indictment, subsections (1)(a) and (2)(b)(i) above are without prejudice to section 74(1) of this Act.
4
Where an appeal is taken under subsection (1) above, the period from the date on which the appeal was lodged until it is withdrawn or disposed of shall not count towards any time limit applying in respect of the case.
5
An appellant in an appeal under this section shall be entitled to be present at the hearing of the appeal unless the F6appropriate Appeal Court determines that his presence is not practicable or appropriate.
6
In disposing of an appeal under subsection (1) above the F9appropriate Appeal Court may—
a
affirm the decision of the court of first instance;
b
make any other finding or order which that court could have made at the time when it made the finding F1, order or other disposal which is the subject of the appeal; or
c
remit the case to that court with such directions in the matter as the F9appropriate Appeal Court thinks fit.
7
Section 60 of this Act shall not apply in relation to any order as respects which a person has a right of appeal under subsection (1)(c) above.
F88
In this section, “appropriate Appeal Court” means—
a
in the case of an appeal under subsection (1) against a finding or refusal, or an order made, in proceedings on indictment, the High Court;
b
in the case of an appeal under subsection (1) against a finding or refusal, or an order made, in summary proceedings, the Sheriff Appeal Court.