Delaying the right to have someone informed of arrest (PACE 1984 s.56)

Section 56(1) of PACE 1984 entitles an arrested person held in custody to have one friend, relative or other person likely to take an interest in their welfare told of the arrest as soon as practicable. Delay is permitted only where the person is detained for an indictable offence and an officer of at least the rank of inspector authorises it (s.56(2)). The officer must have reasonable grounds for believing that telling the named person will lead to one of the listed consequences, which include alerting other people suspected of the offence who have not yet been arrested (s.56(5)(b)). In any case, the detainee must be allowed to exercise the right within 36 hours from the relevant time (s.56(3)). Robbery is indictable and the belief that the brother would be alerted is a permitted ground, so an inspector may authorise a delay, subject to the 36-hour limit.

Why A is wrong: Section 56(2) and (5) expressly permit delay in limited circumstances for indictable offences.

Why B is wrong: A sergeant cannot authorise delay under s.56; the minimum rank is inspector, and the outer limit is 36 hours.

Why C is wrong: Superintendent rank is required to delay access to legal advice under s.58, not for s.56; and the limit is 36 hours, not 48.

Why E is wrong: Section 56 contains no rule tying the delay to the end of an interview; the limit is the 36 hours in s.56(3).