If the condition in subsection (3) is met, the court may appoint a person (“special counsel”) to represent the interests of the accused in relation to the determination of the application, review or appeal.

The condition is that the court considers that the appointment of special counsel is necessary to ensure that the accused receives a fair trial.

Before deciding whether to appoint special counsel in any case other than a non-notification case or a restricted notification case, the court must give all the parties an opportunity to be heard.

The prosecutor may appeal to the High Court against a decision of the court not to appoint special counsel in any case.

The Secretary of State may appeal to the High Court against a decision of the court not to appoint special counsel in a restricted notification case.

The accused may appeal to the High Court against a decision not to appoint special counsel in any case other than a non-notification case or a restricted notification case.

In this section and section 152—

• F1 “ accused ” includes—

  1. a

     appellant or, where the order relates to section 136(2), 137(2) or 138(2), other person to whom the section concerned applies, and

  2. b

     respondent,

• “appellant” has the meaning given by section 132,

• “non-notification case” means a case where the court is determining—

  1. a

     an application for a non-notification order,

  2. b

     an application for review of the grant or refusal of a non-notification order,

  3. c

     an appeal relating to such an order,

• F2 “ respondent ” has the meaning given by section 140A,

• “restricted notification case” means a case where the court is determining—

  1. a

     an application for a restricted notification order,

  2. b

     an application for review of the grant or refusal of a restricted notification order,

  3. c

     an appeal relating to such an order.