Bail Act 2013

Bail conditions can require one or more character acknowledgments to be provided.

A character acknowledgment is an acknowledgment, given by an acceptable person, other than the accused person, to the effect that he or she is acquainted with the accused person and that he or she regards the accused person as a responsible person who is likely to comply with his or her bail acknowledgment.

A decision as to which person or persons, or class or description of persons, is an acceptable person for a character acknowledgment is to be made by—

the bail authority imposing the bail condition, or

the officer or court to whom the bail acknowledgment is given (if no decision has been made under paragraph (a)).

A bail authority is not to require a character acknowledgment unless of the opinion that the purpose for which the acknowledgment is required is not likely to be achieved by imposing one or more conduct requirements.

The regulations may make further provision for character acknowledgments and requirements to provide character acknowledgments.