47.— (1) A complaint must be made within the specified period or Time limit for any extension of that period allowed under subsection (3). making complaints.

(2) The specified period is 12 months beginning before or after the commencement of this section, but not later than—

(a) the date of the action giving rise to the complaint, or

(b) if the person by whom or on whose behalf the complaint is to be made did not become aware of that action until after that date, the date on which he or she becomes aware of it.

(3) A complaints officer may extend the time limit for making a complaint if in the opinion of the complaints officer special circumstances make it appropriate to do so.