Citation, commencement and extent

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 (Disqualification from Driving) Order 2011 and shall come into force 21 days after the day on which it is laid before Parliament.

(2) This Order extends to Scotland only.

Interpretation

2. In this Order-

"the 1988 Act" means the Road Traffic Act 1988(2);

"the 2007 Act" means the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007(3);

"Community licence" has the meaning given by section 108(1) of the 1988 Act(4);

"counterpart" means a counterpart of a licence to drive a motor vehicle and-

"disqualification order" means an order under article 3(1);

"motor vehicle" has the meaning given by section 185(1) of the 1988 Act;

"Northern Ireland licence" has the meaning given by section 108(1) of the 1988 Act(8).

Power to disqualify from holding or obtaining a licence

3.-(1) Where-

(a)a person is convicted by a court of a relevant offence; and

(b)the court is satisfied that, at the time the offence was committed, the person was driving or was otherwise in charge of a motor vehicle,

the court may make an order that the person is to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part III of the 1988 Act.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a "relevant offence" is an offence under any of the following provisions of the 2007 Act-

(a)section 1(1) (soliciting for prostitution); and

(b)section 1(3) (loitering for prostitution).

(3) A disqualification order-

(a)may be made in addition to, or instead of, any other disposal available to the court (including a disposal under section 1(5) of the 2007 Act); and

(b)is to be framed so as to have effect for such period as the court considers appropriate in all the circumstances.

(4) A disqualification order may not be made in respect of an offence committed before the coming into force of this Order.

Requirement to surrender licence

4. A court which makes a disqualification order must require the person in respect of whom the order is made to produce any of the following held by the person-

(a)a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part III of the 1988 Act;

(b)a Northern Ireland licence;

(c)a Community licence; and

(d)a counterpart of a licence mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c).

Appeals procedure

5. A person in respect of whom a disqualification order is made may appeal against the order as if it were a sentence imposed by the court on summary conviction.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes provision which is consequential on the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 ("the 2007 Act").

The 2007 Act creates offences in Scotland relating to soliciting or loitering for the purpose of obtaining the services of a person engaged in prostitution.

The 2007 Act provides that these offences are punishable by a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. Article 3 of this Order gives additional powers to the court which will allow the convicting court to disqualify the offender from driving in addition to or instead of any other disposal but only where the offender is driving, or is otherwise in charge of, a motor vehicle at the time that the offence is committed. Article 4 requires the person subject to such a disqualification to surrender any licence held by that person. Article 5 makes provision about appeals following such a disqualification. The general right of appeal against summary conviction under section 175 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act is made available.