The Act Commentary on Sections Part 2: Sentencing Section 37: Extension of period for which young offender contract has effect
303.This section inserts a new section 27B into Part 3 of the 2000 Act and inserts a new Part into Schedule 1 to that Act (further court proceedings). The new section provides a power for the youth offender panel to refer the offender back to the appropriate court where they consider it is in the interests of justice for the period of the referral order to be extended. The effect of the new section and new Part of that Schedule is that the court may extend the period of the order by up to 3 months subject to the over-arching maximum period for a referral order of 12 months.