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Appropriate adult

Definition in primary legislation

From:

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, S.45ZA (and S.45ZB(4))

Legislation

(8) In this section—

“appropriate adult”, in relation to a person who has not attained the age of 18, means—
(a) the persons’s parent or guardian or, if the person is in the care of a local authority or voluntary organisation, a person representing that authority or organisation,
(b) a social worker of a local authority, or
(c) if no person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) is available, any responsible person aged 18 or over who is not a police officer or a person employed for, or engaged on, police purposes;

“appropriate adult”, in relation to a vulnerable adult, means—
(a) a relative, guardian or other person responsible for the vulnerable adult’s care,
(b) a person who is experienced in dealing with vulnerable adults but who is not a police officer or a person employed for, or engaged on, police purposes, or
(c) if no person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) is available, any responsible person aged 18 or over who is not a police officer or a person employed for, or engaged on, police purposes.

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