(1)A referral order shall—
(a)specify the youth offending team responsible for implementing the order;
(b)require the offender to attend each of the meetings of a youth offender panel to be established by the team for the offender; and
(c)specify the period for which any youth offender contract taking effect between the offender and the panel under section 23 below is to have effect (which must not be less than three nor more than twelve months).
(2)The youth offending team specified under subsection (1)(a) above shall be the team having the function of implementing referral orders in the area in which it appears to the court that the offender resides or will reside.
(3)On making a referral order the court shall explain to the offender in ordinary language—
(a)the effect of the order; and
(b)the consequences which may follow—
(i)if no youth offender contract takes effect between the offender and the panel under section 23 below; or
(ii)if the offender breaches any of the terms of any such contract.
(4)Subsections (5) to (7) below apply where, in dealing with an offender for two or more connected offences, a court makes a referral order in respect of each, or each of two or more, of the offences.
(5)The orders shall have the effect of referring the offender to a single youth offender panel; and the provision made by them under subsection (1) above shall accordingly be the same in each case, except that the periods specified under subsection (1)(c) may be different.
(6)The court may direct that the period so specified in either or any of the orders is to run concurrently with or be additional to that specified in the other or any of the others; but in exercising its power under this subsection the court must ensure that the total period for which such a contract as is mentioned in subsection (1)(c) above is to have effect does not exceed twelve months.
(7)Each of the orders mentioned in subsection (4) above shall, for the purposes of this Part, be treated as associated with the other or each of the others.