Part 4: Police Powers Chapter 1: Pre-charge Bail Section 56: Release from further detention at police station
Section 41 of PACE provides for limits on the time a person can be detained without charge. This is (subject to certain exceptions) 24 hours, which is calculated from a point known in PACE as the "relevant time" (normally, the time detention was authorised). A person who has been in detention for 24 hours after the "relevant time" and who has not been charged must be released (unless further detention is authorised or permitted under subsequent provisions of PACE). Subsection (1) amends section 41(7) so that such a release should normally be without bail, unless the pre-conditions for bail are satisfied. Subsections (3) and (4) amend section 42(10) and insert new section 42(10A) to make equivalent provision in respect of a person whose continued detention is authorised up to 36 hours and is then released no later than that point.