(1) For the purposes of section 50(2) (method of notification) a person's "local police area" means -
(a) the police area in which the person's home address is situated;
(b) in the absence of a home address, the police area in which the home address last notified is situated;
(c) in the absence of a home address and of any such notification, the police area in which the court of trial was situated.
(2) In subsection (1)(c) "the court of trial" means -
(a) the court by or before which the conviction or finding was made by virtue of which the notification requirements apply to the person, or
(b) if that conviction or finding was one substituted on an appeal or reference, the court by or before which the proceedings were taken from which the appeal or reference was brought.
(3) This section and section 50(2) apply in relation to Northern Ireland as if Northern Ireland were a police area.
(4) This section and section 50(2) apply in relation to Scotland as if Scotland were a police area.