(1) If a victim's property is held by a justice agency for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting a criminal offence, the property must be—
(a) handled and stored in a lawful, respectful and secure manner; and
(b) returned to the victim as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed for that purpose.
(2) However, for subsection (1) (b)—
(a) the property must not be returned to the victim if the victim's possession of the property would be an offence; and
(b) the property need not be returned to the victim directly.
Note The Court Procedures Rules 2006
sets out for how long exhibits put into evidence may be kept by the court in proceedings (see r 6762), including in appeals proceedings (see r 5194), duties on parties to claim exhibits (see r 6763) and disposal of exhibits (see r 6766).