(1) A person in
relation to whom a conviction for an offence is spent may apply to a qualified
magistrate for an order that 1 or more of clauses 7 and 8 of
Schedule 1 do not apply in relation to the offence.
(2) An application
under this section must be made in accordance with the regulations.
(3) An application for
an order under this section in relation to an offence may not be made if a
qualified magistrate has refused to make an order under this section in
relation to the same offence within the preceding 2 years.
(4) An application
under this section may not be made in respect of a conviction for an offence
against the laws of another jurisdiction.
(5) Schedule 2 applies
to an application under this section and to proceedings on an application.
(6) The making of an
order under this section is at the discretion of the qualified magistrate and
that discretion will be exercised having regard to—
(a) the
nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offence; and
(c) in
the case of an application that relates to clause 7 of Schedule
1—if the offence involved a vulnerable person or persons; and
(d) if a
victim impact statement was furnished to the sentencing court in connection
with the sentencing of the applicant for the offence (and that statement is
available to the qualified magistrate)—anything referred to in that
statement; and
(e) any
penalty imposed, and any other order or requirement made or imposed by a
court, in relation to the offence; and
(f) all
the circumstances of the applicant, including the circumstances of the
applicant at the time of the commission of the offence and at the time of the
application and whether the applicant appears to have rehabilitated and to be
of good character; and
(g)
whether the removal of the exclusion by operation of an order under this
section might present a risk to children, vulnerable persons or the public
more generally (and, if so, the extent of that risk); and
(h)
whether there is any public interest served in not making the order; and
(i)
any other matter considered relevant by the qualified
magistrate.
(7) An order under
this section will have effect according to its terms.
(8) An order under
this section does not limit the operation of clause 9A of Schedule 1 in
any respect.