Section 53: Return of item to person entitled to it, or disposal if return impracticable
Where the retention of a seized item is no longer authorised under the Act, this section provides for the return of the item to the person entitled to it; if necessary, the appropriate court (as defined in subsection (5)) may make an order to this end (subsection (1)(b)). In any case where it has proved impossible to find the owner, or it is impractical for some reason to return the item (for example, because the owner refuses to accept receipt or it has deteriorated so that it has become dangerous), subsection (4) allows for the item to be disposed of by a relevant enforcement officer.