Law

The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025

United Kingdom · regulation

Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown

Open at the publisher →

In force since 2026-10-05, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-10. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

sha256 f3fecf0aa57d2f6ab20972b09a008571e5965489c6e5c8d521492f45fea7cf49

Contents: 660 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1.1 The overriding objective
  3. 1.2 The duty of the participants in a criminal case
  4. 1.3 The application by the court of the overriding objective
  5. 2.1 When the Rules apply
  6. 2.2 Definitions
  7. 2.3 References to legislation, including these Rules
  8. 2.4 Exercise of court’s functions by authorised court officers: general rules
  9. 2.5 Exercise of functions of the Court of Appeal
  10. 2.6 Exercise of functions of the High Court
  11. 2.7 Exercise of functions of the Crown Court
  12. 2.8 Exercise of functions of a magistrates’ court
  13. 2.9 Exercise of functions of a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) in extradition cases
  14. 2.10 Court’s power to extend time under rule 2.6 or rule 2.7
  15. 2.11 Taking of statutory declarations by court officers
  16. 2.12 Duties of justices’ legal adviser
  17. 3.1 When this Part applies
  18. 3.2 The duty of the court
  19. 3.3 The duty of the parties
  20. 3.4 Case progression officers and their duties
  21. 3.5 The court’s case management powers
  22. 3.6 Application to vary a direction
  23. 3.7 Agreement to vary a time limit fixed by a direction
  24. 3.8 Case preparation and progression
  25. 3.9 Ground rules hearing
  26. 3.10 Directions for commissioning medical reports, other than for sentencing purposes
  27. 3.11 Hearing to inform the court of sensitive material
  28. 3.12 Readiness for trial or appeal
  29. 3.13 Conduct of a trial or an appeal
  30. 3.14 Duty of court officer
  31. 3.15 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  32. 3.16 Pre-trial hearings in a magistrates’ court: general rules
  33. 3.17 Place of magistrates’ court trial
  34. 3.18 Use of Welsh language at magistrates’ court trial
  35. 3.19 Service of prosecution evidence
  36. 3.20 Application to dismiss offence sent for Crown Court trial
  37. 3.21 Pre-trial hearings in the Crown Court: general rules
  38. 3.22 Preparatory hearing
  39. 3.23 Application for preparatory hearing
  40. 3.24 Application for non-jury trial containing information withheld from a defendant
  41. 3.25 Representations in response to application for preparatory hearing
  42. 3.26 Commencement of preparatory hearing
  43. 3.27 Defence trial advocate
  44. 3.28 Application to stay case for abuse of process
  45. 3.29 Application for joint or separate trials, etc.
  46. 3.30 Order for joint or separate trials, or amendment of the indictment
  47. 3.31 Application for indication of sentence
  48. 3.32 Arraigning the defendant
  49. 3.33 Place of Crown Court trial
  50. 3.34 Use of Welsh language at Crown Court trial
  51. 3.35 Live link direction: exercise of court’s powers
  52. 3.36 Content of application for a live link direction
  53. 3.37 Application to vary or rescind a live link direction
  54. 3.38 Application containing information withheld from another party
  55. 3.39 Representations in response
  56. 4.1 When this Part applies
  57. 4.2 Methods of service
  58. 4.3 Service by handing over a document
  59. 4.4 Service by leaving or posting a document
  60. 4.5 Service by document exchange
  61. 4.6 Service by electronic means
  62. 4.7 Documents that must be served by specified methods
  63. 4.8 Service by person in custody
  64. 4.9 Service by another method
  65. 4.10 Documents that may not be served on a legal representative
  66. 4.11 Date of service
  67. 4.12 Proof of service
  68. 4.13 Court’s power to give directions about service
  69. 5.1 Applications, etc. by forms or electronic means
  70. 5.2 Forms in Welsh
  71. 5.3 Signature of forms
  72. 5.4 Duty to make records
  73. 5.5 Recording and transcription of proceedings in the Crown Court
  74. 5.6 Custody of case materials
  75. 5.7 The open justice principle
  76. 5.8 Request for information about a case
  77. 5.9 Request for information by a party or person directly affected by a case
  78. 5.10 Request or application determined by the court
  79. 5.11 Publication of information about court hearings, etc.
  80. 5.12 Request for certificate, extract or information under other legislation
  81. 6.1 When this Part applies
  82. 6.2 Exercise of court’s powers to which this Part applies
  83. 6.3 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  84. 6.4 Reporting and access restrictions
  85. 6.5 Varying or removing restrictions
  86. 6.6 Trial in private
  87. 6.7 Representations in response
  88. 6.8 Order about restriction or trial in private
  89. 6.9 Sound recording and electronic communication
  90. 6.10 Forfeiture of unauthorised sound recording
  91. 7.1 When this Part applies
  92. 7.2 Application for summons, etc.
  93. 7.3 Allegation of offence
  94. 7.4 Summons, warrant and requisition
  95. 7.5 Notice of defendant in custody
  96. 7.6 Arrangements for court to receive defendant in custody
  97. 8.1 When this Part applies
  98. 8.2 Providing initial details of the prosecution case
  99. 8.3 Content of initial details
  100. 8.4 Use of initial details
  101. 9.1 When this Part applies
  102. 9.2 Exercise of magistrates’ court’s powers
  103. 9.3 Matters to be specified on sending for trial
  104. 9.4 Duty of justices’ legal adviser
  105. 9.5 Duty of magistrates’ court officer
  106. 9.6 Prosecutor’s notice requiring Crown Court trial
  107. 9.7 Sending for Crown Court trial
  108. 9.8 Adult defendant: request for plea
  109. 9.9 Adult defendant: guilty plea
  110. 9.10 Adult defendant: not guilty plea
  111. 9.11 Adult defendant: allocation for magistrates’ court trial
  112. 9.12 Adult defendant: prosecutor’s application for Crown Court trial
  113. 9.13 Young defendant
  114. 9.14 Allocation and sending for Crown Court trial
  115. 9.15 Committal for sentence for offence related to an offence sent for trial
  116. 9.16 Sending back or referring case for magistrates’ court trial
  117. 10.1 When this Part applies
  118. 10.2 The indictment: general rules
  119. 10.3 Draft indictment generated electronically on sending for trial
  120. 10.4 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor after sending for trial
  121. 10.5 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor with a High Court judge’s permission
  122. 10.6 Draft indictment approved with deferred prosecution agreement
  123. 10.7 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor on re-instituting proceedings
  124. 10.8 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor at the direction of the Court of Appeal
  125. 10.9 Application to a High Court judge for permission to serve a draft indictment
  126. 11.1 When this Part applies
  127. 11.2 Exercise of court’s powers
  128. 11.3 Application to approve a proposal to enter an agreement
  129. 11.4 Application to approve the terms of an agreement
  130. 11.5 Application on breach of agreement
  131. 11.6 Application to approve a variation of the terms of an agreement
  132. 11.7 Application to lift suspension of prosecution
  133. 11.8 Notice to discontinue prosecution
  134. 11.9 Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor
  135. 11.10 Duty of court officer, etc.
  136. 11.11 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  137. 12.1 When this Part applies
  138. 12.2 Discontinuing a case
  139. 12.3 Defendant’s notice to continue
  140. 13.1 When this Part applies
  141. 13.2 Terms of a warrant for arrest
  142. 13.3 Terms of a warrant for detention or imprisonment
  143. 13.4 Information to be included in a warrant
  144. 13.5 Execution of a warrant
  145. 13.6 Warrants that cease to have effect on payment
  146. 13.7 Warrant issued when the court office is closed
  147. 14.1 When this Part applies
  148. 14.2 Exercise of court’s powers: general
  149. 14.3 Duty of justices’ legal adviser
  150. 14.4 General duties of court officer
  151. 14.5 Prosecutor’s representations about bail
  152. 14.6 Reconsideration of police bail by magistrates’ court
  153. 14.7 Notice of application to consider bail
  154. 14.8 Defendant’s application or appeal to the Crown Court after magistrates’ court bail decision
  155. 14.9 Prosecutor’s appeal against grant of bail
  156. 14.10 Consideration of bail in a murder case
  157. 14.11 Condition of residence
  158. 14.12 Electronic monitoring requirements
  159. 14.13 Accommodation or support requirements
  160. 14.14 Requirement for a surety or payment, etc.
  161. 14.15 Forfeiture of a recognizance given by a surety
  162. 14.16 Notice of arrest for breach of bail
  163. 14.17 Arrangements for court to receive defendant arrested for breach of bail
  164. 14.18 Exercise of court’s powers: extension of pre-charge bail
  165. 14.19 Application to authorise extension of pre-charge bail
  166. 14.20 Application to withhold information from the defendant
  167. 14.21 Application to extend a custody time limit
  168. 14.22 Appeal against custody time limit decision
  169. 15.1 When this Part applies
  170. 15.2 Prosecution disclosure and disclosure management
  171. 15.3 Prosecutor’s application for public interest ruling
  172. 15.4 Defence disclosure
  173. 15.5 Defendant’s application for prosecution disclosure
  174. 15.6 Review of public interest ruling
  175. 15.7 Defendant’s application to use disclosed material
  176. 15.8 Unauthorised use of disclosed material
  177. 15.9 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  178. 16.1 When this Part applies
  179. 16.2 Content of written witness statement
  180. 16.3 Reference to exhibit
  181. 16.4 Written witness statement in evidence
  182. 17.1 When this Part applies
  183. 17.2 Issue etc. of summons, warrant or order
  184. 17.3 Application for summons, warrant or order: general rules
  185. 17.4 Written application: form and service
  186. 17.5 Application for summons to produce a document, etc.: special rules
  187. 17.6 Application for summons to produce a document, etc.: court’s assessment of relevance and confidentiality
  188. 17.7 Application to withdraw a summons, warrant or order
  189. 17.8 Taking a deposition in a magistrates’ court
  190. 17.9 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  191. 18.1 When this Part applies
  192. 18.2 Meaning of ‘witness’ and ‘live link’
  193. 18.3 Meaning of ‘intermediary’ and ‘intermediary’s report’
  194. 18.4 Making an application for a direction or order
  195. 18.5 Decisions and reasons
  196. 18.6 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  197. 18.7 Custody of documents
  198. 18.8 Exercise of court’s powers
  199. 18.9 Special measures direction without application
  200. 18.10 Content of application for a special measures direction
  201. 18.11 Application to vary or discharge a special measures direction
  202. 18.12 Application containing information withheld from another party
  203. 18.13 Representations in response
  204. 18.14 Exercise of court’s powers
  205. 18.15 Content and conduct of application for a witness anonymity order
  206. 18.16 Duty of court officer to notify the Director of Public Prosecutions
  207. 18.17 Application to vary or discharge a witness anonymity order
  208. 18.18 Representations in response
  209. 18.19 Appointment of intermediary to facilitate a defendant’s participation
  210. 18.20 Application to vary or discharge the appointment of an intermediary for a defendant
  211. 18.21 Representations in response to application or proposal
  212. 18.22 Intermediary’s duty to the court
  213. 18.23 Declaration by intermediary
  214. 18.24 Content of intermediary’s report
  215. 19.1 When this Part applies
  216. 19.2 Expert’s duty to the court
  217. 19.3 Introduction of expert evidence
  218. 19.4 Content of expert’s report
  219. 19.5 Expert to be informed of service of report
  220. 19.6 Pre-hearing discussion of expert evidence
  221. 19.7 Court’s power to direct that evidence is to be given by a single joint expert
  222. 19.8 Instructions to a single joint expert
  223. 19.9 Application to withhold information from another party
  224. 19.10 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  225. 20.1 When this Part applies
  226. 20.2 Notice to introduce hearsay evidence
  227. 20.3 Opposing the introduction of hearsay evidence
  228. 20.4 Unopposed hearsay evidence
  229. 20.5 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  230. 21.1 When this Part applies
  231. 21.2 Content of application or notice
  232. 21.3 Application to introduce evidence of a non-defendant’s bad character
  233. 21.4 Notice to introduce evidence of a defendant’s bad character
  234. 21.5 Reasons for decisions
  235. 21.6 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  236. 22.1 When this Part applies
  237. 22.2 Exercise of court’s powers
  238. 22.3 Decisions and reasons
  239. 22.4 Application for permission to introduce evidence or cross-examine
  240. 22.5 Application containing information withheld from another party
  241. 22.6 Representations in response
  242. 22.7 Special measures, etc. for a witness
  243. 22.8 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  244. 23.1 When this Part applies
  245. 23.2 Appointment of advocate to cross-examine witness
  246. 23.3 Exercise of court’s powers
  247. 23.4 Application to prohibit cross-examination
  248. 23.5 Application to discharge prohibition imposed by the court
  249. 23.6 Application containing information withheld from another party
  250. 23.7 Representations in response
  251. 23.8 Court’s power to vary requirements
  252. 24.1 When this Part applies
  253. 24.2 General rules
  254. 24.3 Procedure on plea of not guilty
  255. 24.4 Evidence of a witness in person
  256. 24.5 Evidence of a witness in writing
  257. 24.6 Evidence by admission
  258. 24.7 Procedure on plea of guilty
  259. 24.8 Written guilty plea: special rules
  260. 24.9 Single justice procedure: special rules
  261. 24.10 Application to withdraw a guilty plea
  262. 24.11 Procedure if the court convicts
  263. 24.12 Procedure where a party is absent
  264. 24.13 Provision of documents for the court
  265. 24.14 Duty of justices’ legal adviser
  266. 24.15 Duty of court officer and custodian
  267. 25.1 When this Part applies
  268. 25.2 General powers and requirements
  269. 25.3 Application for ruling on procedure, evidence or other question of law
  270. 25.4 Procedure on plea of guilty
  271. 25.5 Application to vacate a guilty plea
  272. 25.6 Selecting the jury
  273. 25.7 Discharging jurors
  274. 25.8 Objecting to jurors
  275. 25.9 Procedure on plea of not guilty
  276. 25.10 Defendant unfit to plead
  277. 25.11 Evidence of a witness in person
  278. 25.12 Evidence of a witness in writing
  279. 25.13 Evidence by admission
  280. 25.14 Directions to the jury and taking the verdict
  281. 25.15 Conviction or acquittal without a jury
  282. 25.16 Procedure if the court convicts
  283. 25.17 Provision of documents for the court
  284. 25.18 Duty of court officer and custodian
  285. 26.1 Appeal against officer’s refusal to excuse or postpone jury service
  286. 26.2 Excusal from jury service by court
  287. 26.3 Provision of information for jurors
  288. 26.4 Assessment of juror’s availability for long trial, etc.
  289. 26.5 Surrender of electronic communication devices by jurors
  290. 26.6 Interpretation for a deaf juror
  291. 27.1 When this Part applies
  292. 27.2 Application for certificate
  293. 27.3 Application for reporting restriction pending application for order for retrial
  294. 27.4 Application for order for retrial
  295. 27.5 Respondent’s notice
  296. 27.6 Application to Crown Court for summons or warrant
  297. 27.7 Application of other rules about procedure in the Court of Appeal
  298. 28.1 Reasons for not following usual sentencing requirements
  299. 28.2 Notice of requirements of suspended sentence and community, etc. orders
  300. 28.3 Notification requirements
  301. 28.4 Variation of sentence
  302. 28.5 Application to vary or discharge a compensation, etc. order
  303. 28.6 Application to remove, revoke or suspend a disqualification or restriction
  304. 28.7 Application for a restitution order by the victim of a theft
  305. 28.8 Directions for commissioning medical reports for sentencing purposes
  306. 28.9 Information to be supplied on committal to custody or admission to hospital or guardianship
  307. 28.10 Committal or remission, etc. for sentence
  308. 28.11 Assistance to an investigator, etc.: applications under the Sentencing Act 2020
  309. 28.12 Assistance to an investigator, etc.: confidential information for the sentencing court
  310. 28.13 Sentencing, etc. after committal to the Crown Court
  311. 29.1 Representations about obligatory disqualification or endorsement
  312. 29.2 Application to remove a disqualification from driving
  313. 29.3 Information to be supplied on order for endorsement of driving record, etc.
  314. 29.4 Statutory declaration to avoid fine after fixed penalty notice
  315. 29.5 Application for declaration about a course or programme certificate decision
  316. 29.6 Appeal against recognition of foreign driving disqualification
  317. 30.1 When this Part applies
  318. 30.2 Exercise of court’s powers; duty of justices’ legal adviser
  319. 30.3 Duty to give receipt
  320. 30.4 Appeal against decision of fines officer
  321. 30.5 Application to reduce a fine, vary payment terms or remit a courts charge
  322. 30.6 Claim to avoid fine after penalty notice
  323. 30.7 Information to be included in a warrant of control
  324. 30.8 Warrant of control: application by enforcement agent for extension of time, etc.
  325. 30.9 Warrant of control: application to resolve dispute
  326. 31.1 When this Part applies
  327. 31.2 Behaviour orders and bind overs: general rules
  328. 31.3 Application for behaviour order and notice of terms of proposed order: special rules
  329. 31.4 Evidence to assist the court: special rules
  330. 31.5 Application to vary, renew, discharge or revoke behaviour order
  331. 31.6 Notice of hearsay evidence
  332. 31.7 Cross-examination of maker of hearsay statement
  333. 31.8 Credibility and consistency of maker of hearsay statement
  334. 31.9 Notice to supervisor of requirement for supervision or monitoring
  335. 31.10 Bind over: exercise of court’s powers
  336. 31.11 Bind over: refusal or breach
  337. 31.12 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  338. 32.1 When this Part applies
  339. 32.2 Application by responsible officer or supervisor
  340. 32.3 Application by defendant or person affected
  341. 32.4 Procedure on application by responsible officer or supervisor
  342. 33.1 Interpretation
  343. 33.2 Application for registration of Scottish or Northern Ireland order
  344. 33.3 Application to vary or set aside registration
  345. 33.4 Register of orders
  346. 33.5 Statements of truth
  347. 33.6 Use of witness statements for other purposes
  348. 33.7 Service of documents
  349. 33.8 Service outside the jurisdiction
  350. 33.9 Certificates of service
  351. 33.10 External requests and orders
  352. 33.11 Confiscation proceedings
  353. 33.12 Application for compliance order
  354. 33.13 Application for reconsideration
  355. 33.14 Application for new calculation of available amount
  356. 33.15 Variation of confiscation order due to inadequacy of available amount
  357. 33.16 Application by magistrates’ court officer to discharge confiscation order
  358. 33.17 Application for variation of confiscation order made against an absconder
  359. 33.18 Application for discharge of confiscation order made against an absconder
  360. 33.19 Application for increase in term of imprisonment in default
  361. 33.20 Compensation – general
  362. 33.21 Compensation – confiscation order made against absconder
  363. 33.22 Payment of money held or detained in satisfaction of confiscation order
  364. 33.23 Application to realise seized property or to realise or destroy cryptoassets
  365. 33.24 Appeal about decision on application to realise seized property or to realise or destroy cryptoassets
  366. 33.25 Application for direction about surplus proceeds
  367. 33.26 Application for approval to seize property or to search
  368. 33.27 Application to extend detention period
  369. 33.28 Application to vary or discharge order for extended detention
  370. 33.29 Appeal about property detention decision
  371. 33.30 Taking control of goods and forfeiture
  372. 33.31 Joining of applications
  373. 33.32 Applications to be dealt with in writing
  374. 33.33 Business in chambers
  375. 33.34 Power of court to control evidence
  376. 33.35 Evidence of witnesses
  377. 33.36 Witness summons
  378. 33.37 Hearsay evidence
  379. 33.38 Disclosure and inspection of documents
  380. 33.39 Court documents
  381. 33.40 Consent orders
  382. 33.41 Slips and omissions
  383. 33.42 Supply of documents from court records
  384. 33.43 Disclosure of documents in criminal proceedings
  385. 33.44 Preparation of documents
  386. 33.45 Application for restraint order or ancillary order
  387. 33.46 Restraint and ancillary orders
  388. 33.47 Application for discharge or variation of restraint or ancillary order by a person affected by the order
  389. 33.48 Application for variation of restraint or ancillary order by the person who applied for the order
  390. 33.49 Application for discharge of restraint or ancillary order by the person who applied for the order
  391. 33.50 Application for appointment of a management or an enforcement receiver
  392. 33.51 Application for conferral of powers on a management receiver or an enforcement receiver
  393. 33.52 Applications for discharge or variation of receivership orders, and applications for other orders
  394. 33.53 Sums in the hands of receivers
  395. 33.54 Security
  396. 33.55 Remuneration
  397. 33.56 Accounts
  398. 33.57 Non-compliance by receiver
  399. 33.58 Statements, etc. relevant to making confiscation orders
  400. 33.59 Postponed determinations
  401. 33.60 Confiscation orders - revised assessments
  402. 33.61 Application to the Crown Court to discharge or vary order to make material available
  403. 33.62 Application to the Crown Court for increase in term of imprisonment in default of payment
  404. 33.63 Drug trafficking – compensation on acquittal in the Crown Court
  405. 33.64 Application to punish for contempt of court
  406. 34.1 When this Part applies
  407. 34.2 Service of appeal and respondent’s notices
  408. 34.3 Form of appeal and respondent’s notices
  409. 34.4 Duty of magistrates’ court officer
  410. 34.5 Duty of person keeping exhibit
  411. 34.6 Reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission
  412. 34.7 Preparation for appeal
  413. 34.8 Hearings and decisions
  414. 34.9 Abandoning an appeal
  415. 34.10 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  416. 34.11 Constitution of the Crown Court
  417. 35.1 When this Part applies
  418. 35.2 Application to state a case
  419. 35.3 Preparation of case stated
  420. 35.4 Duty of justices’ legal adviser
  421. 35.5 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
  422. 36.1 When this Part applies
  423. 36.2 Case management in the Court of Appeal
  424. 36.3 Power to vary requirements
  425. 36.4 Application for extension of time
  426. 36.5 Renewing an application refused by a judge or the Registrar
  427. 36.6 Hearings
  428. 36.7 Notice of hearings and decisions
  429. 36.8 Duty of Crown Court officer
  430. 36.9 Duty of person transcribing proceedings in the Crown Court
  431. 36.10 Duty of person keeping exhibit
  432. 36.11 Registrar’s duty to provide copy documents for appeal or reference
  433. 36.12 Declaration of incompatibility with a Convention right
  434. 36.13 Abandoning an appeal
  435. 36.14 Grounds of appeal and opposition
  436. 36.15 Reopening the determination of an appeal
  437. 37.1 When this Part applies
  438. 37.2 Service of appeal notice
  439. 37.3 Form of appeal notice
  440. 37.4 Crown Court judge’s permission to appeal
  441. 37.5 Respondent’s notice
  442. 37.6 Powers of Court of Appeal judge
  443. 37.7 Renewing applications
  444. 37.8 Right to attend hearing
  445. 38.1 When this Part applies
  446. 38.2 Decision to appeal
  447. 38.3 Service of appeal notice
  448. 38.4 Form of appeal notice
  449. 38.5 Crown Court judge’s permission to appeal
  450. 38.6 Expediting an appeal
  451. 38.7 Respondent’s notice
  452. 38.8 Public interest ruling
  453. 38.9 Powers of Court of Appeal judge
  454. 38.10 Renewing applications
  455. 38.11 Right to attend hearing
  456. 39.1 When this Part applies
  457. 39.2 Service of appeal notice
  458. 39.3 Form of appeal notice
  459. 39.4 Crown Court judge’s certificate that case is fit for appeal
  460. 39.5 Reference by Criminal Cases Review Commission
  461. 39.6 Respondent’s notice
  462. 39.7 Introducing evidence
  463. 39.8 Application for bail, or to suspend a disqualification or order, pending appeal or retrial
  464. 39.9 Conditions of bail pending appeal or retrial
  465. 39.10 Forfeiture of a recognizance given as a condition of bail
  466. 39.11 Right to attend hearing
  467. 39.12 Power to vary determination of appeal against sentence
  468. 39.13 Directions about re-admission to hospital on dismissal of appeal
  469. 39.14 Renewal or setting aside of order for retrial
  470. 40.1 When this Part applies
  471. 40.2 Service of appeal notice
  472. 40.3 Form of appeal notice
  473. 40.4 Advance notice of appeal against order restricting public access
  474. 40.5 Duty of applicant for order restricting public access
  475. 40.6 Respondent’s notice on appeal against reporting restriction
  476. 40.7 Renewing applications
  477. 40.8 Right to introduce evidence
  478. 40.9 Right to attend hearing
  479. 41.1 When this Part applies
  480. 41.2 Service of notice of reference and application for permission
  481. 41.3 Form of notice of reference and application for permission
  482. 41.4 Respondent’s notice
  483. 41.5 Variation or withdrawal of notice of reference or application for permission
  484. 41.6 Right to attend hearing
  485. 41.7 Anonymity of defendant on reference of point of law
  486. 42.1 Extension of time
  487. 42.2 Other applications
  488. 42.3 Examination of witness by court
  489. 42.4 Supply of documentary and other exhibits
  490. 42.5 Duty of Crown Court officer
  491. 42.6 Hearing by single judge
  492. 42.7 Determination by full court
  493. 42.8 Notice of determination and renewal of application for permission to appeal
  494. 42.9 Record of proceedings and transcripts
  495. 42.10 Appeal to the Supreme Court
  496. 42.11 Notice of appeal
  497. 42.12 Respondent’s notice
  498. 42.13 Amendment and abandonment of appeal
  499. 42.14 Permission to appeal
  500. 42.15 Notice of appeal
  501. 42.16 Respondent’s notice
  502. 42.17 Amendment and abandonment of appeal
  503. 42.18 Stay
  504. 42.19 Striking out appeal notices and setting aside or imposing conditions on permission to appeal
  505. 42.20 Hearing of appeals
  506. 42.21 Reopening the determination of an appeal
  507. 43.1 When this Part applies
  508. 43.2 Application for permission or reference
  509. 43.3 Determination of detention pending appeal, etc.
  510. 43.4 Bail pending appeal
  511. 44.1 When this Part applies
  512. 44.2 Statutory declaration of ignorance of proceedings
  513. 44.3 Setting aside a conviction or varying a costs, etc. order
  514. 45.1 When this Part applies
  515. 45.2 Costs orders: general rules
  516. 45.3 Court’s power to vary requirements
  517. 45.4 Costs out of central funds
  518. 45.5 Costs on conviction and sentence, etc.
  519. 45.6 Costs on appeal
  520. 45.7 Costs on an application
  521. 45.8 Costs resulting from unnecessary or improper act, etc.
  522. 45.9 Costs against a legal representative
  523. 45.10 Costs against a third party
  524. 45.11 Assessment and re-assessment
  525. 45.12 Appeal to a costs judge
  526. 45.13 Appeal to a High Court judge
  527. 45.14 Application for an extension of time
  528. 46.1 Functions of representatives and supporters
  529. 46.2 Notice of appointment, etc. of legal representative: general rules
  530. 46.3 Application to change legal representative (legal aid): general rules
  531. 46.4 Application by defendant to change legal representative (legal aid)
  532. 46.5 Application by legal representative to withdraw (legal aid)
  533. 47.1 When this Part applies
  534. 47.2 Meaning of ‘court’, ‘applicant’ and ‘respondent’
  535. 47.3 Documents and recordings held by the court officer
  536. 47.4 When this Section applies
  537. 47.5 Exercise of court’s powers
  538. 47.6 Application for order: general rules
  539. 47.7 Application containing information withheld from a respondent or other person
  540. 47.8 Application to vary or discharge an order
  541. 47.9 Application to punish for contempt of court
  542. 47.10 Application for a production order under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  543. 47.11 Application for an order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  544. 47.12 Content of application for a production etc. order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  545. 47.13 Content of application for a disclosure order or information order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  546. 47.14 Content of application for an explanation order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  547. 47.15 Content of application for a customer information order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  548. 47.16 Content of application for an account monitoring order under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the National Security Act 2023
  549. 47.17 Application for an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  550. 47.18 Content of application for a production order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  551. 47.19 Content of application for an order to grant entry under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  552. 47.20 Content of application for a disclosure order or information order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  553. 47.21 Content of application for a customer information order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  554. 47.22 Content of application for an account monitoring order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  555. 47.23 Application for a production order under the Extradition Act 2003
  556. 47.24 When this Section applies
  557. 47.25 Exercise of court’s powers
  558. 47.26 Application for warrant: general rules
  559. 47.27 Information to be included in a warrant
  560. 47.28 Application for warrant under section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  561. 47.29 Application for warrant under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987
  562. 47.30 Application for warrant under paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  563. 47.31 Application for warrant under Schedule 5 to the Terrorism Act 2000 or Schedule 2 to the National Security Act 2023
  564. 47.32 Application for warrant under section 352 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  565. 47.33 Application for warrant under section 160 of the Extradition Act 2003
  566. 47.34 Application for warrant under any other power
  567. 47.35 When this Section applies
  568. 47.36 Exercise of court’s powers
  569. 47.37 Application for an order under section 1 of the Police (Property) Act 1897
  570. 47.38 Application for an order under section 59 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
  571. 47.39 Application containing information withheld from another party
  572. 47.40 Representations in response
  573. 47.41 Application to punish for contempt of court
  574. 47.42 When this Section applies
  575. 47.43 Exercise of court’s powers
  576. 47.44 Application to extend retention period
  577. 47.45 Appeal
  578. 47.46 When this Section applies
  579. 47.47 Exercise of court’s powers
  580. 47.48 Application for an investigation anonymity order
  581. 47.49 Application to discharge an investigation anonymity order
  582. 47.50 Appeal
  583. 47.51 When this Section applies
  584. 47.52 Exercise of court’s powers
  585. 47.53 Application for approval for authorisation ...
  586. 47.54 When this Section applies
  587. 47.55 Exercise of court’s powers
  588. 47.56 Application for an order for access
  589. 47.57 Application containing information withheld from a respondent or other person
  590. 47.58 Application to punish for contempt of court
  591. 47.59 When this Section applies
  592. 47.60 Exercise of court’s powers
  593. 47.61 Application for extension of moratorium period
  594. 47.62 Application containing information withheld from a respondent
  595. 47.63 When this Section applies
  596. 47.64 Exercise of court’s powers
  597. 47.65 Application for order
  598. 47.66 Application to vary or revoke an order
  599. 47.67 Application containing information withheld from a respondent or other person
  600. 47.68 Application to punish for contempt of court
  601. 48.1 When this Part applies
  602. 48.2 Exercise of court’s power to deal with contempt of court
  603. 48.3 Notice of suspension of imprisonment by Court of Appeal or Crown Court
  604. 48.4 Application to discharge an order for imprisonment
  605. 48.5 Initial procedure on obstruction, disruption, etc.
  606. 48.6 Review after temporary detention
  607. 48.7 Postponement of enquiry
  608. 48.8 Procedure on enquiry
  609. 48.9 Initial procedure on failure to comply with court order, etc.
  610. 48.10 Procedure on hearing
  611. 48.11 Introduction of written witness statement or other hearsay
  612. 48.12 Content of written witness statement
  613. 48.13 Content of notice of other hearsay
  614. 48.14 Cross-examination of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay
  615. 48.15 Credibility and consistency of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay
  616. 48.16 Magistrates’ courts’ powers to adjourn, etc.
  617. 48.17 Court’s power to vary requirements
  618. 49.1 Notice required to accompany process served outside the United Kingdom and translations
  619. 49.2 Proof of service outside the United Kingdom
  620. 49.3 Supply of copy of notice of request for assistance abroad
  621. 49.4 Persons entitled to appear and take part in proceedings before a nominated court, and exclusion of the public
  622. 49.5 Record of proceedings to receive evidence before a nominated court
  623. 49.6 Interpreter for the purposes of proceedings involving a television or telephone link
  624. 49.7 Record of television link hearing before a nominated court
  625. 49.8 Record of telephone link hearing before a nominated court
  626. 49.9 Overseas record
  627. 49.10 Overseas freezing orders
  628. 49.11 Overseas forfeiture orders
  629. 50.1 When this Part applies
  630. 50.2 Special objective in extradition proceedings
  631. 50.3 Exercise of magistrates’ court’s powers
  632. 50.4 Case management in the magistrates’ court and duty of court officer
  633. 50.5 Preliminary hearing after arrest
  634. 50.6 Extradition hearing
  635. 50.7 Discharge where warrant withdrawn
  636. 50.8 Issue of arrest warrant
  637. 50.9 Preliminary hearing after arrest
  638. 50.10 Issue of provisional arrest warrant
  639. 50.11 Preliminary hearing after provisional arrest
  640. 50.12 Arrangement of extradition hearing after provisional arrest
  641. 50.13 Extradition hearing
  642. 50.14 Discharge where extradition request withdrawn
  643. 50.15 Introduction of additional evidence
  644. 50.16 Defendant’s application to be discharged
  645. 50.17 Exercise of the High Court’s powers
  646. 50.18 Case management in the High Court
  647. 50.19 Service of appeal notice
  648. 50.20 Form of appeal notice
  649. 50.21 Respondent’s notice
  650. 50.22 Renewing an application for permission to appeal, restoring excluded grounds, etc.
  651. 50.23 Appeal hearing
  652. 50.24 Early termination of appeal: order by consent, etc.
  653. 50.25 Application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court
  654. 50.26 Determination of detention pending appeal to the Supreme Court against discharge
  655. 50.27 Reopening the determination of an appeal
  656. 50.28 Declaration of incompatibility with a Convention right
  657. 50.29 Duties of court officers
  658. 50.30 Constitution of the High Court
  659. 50.31 Payment of High Court fees
  660. 50.32 Application for consent to deal with another offence or for consent to further extradition

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

660 provisions

10.5 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor with a High Court judge’s permission

(1) This rule applies where— (a) the prosecutor applies to a High Court judge under rule 10.9 (Application to a High Court judge for permission to serve a draft indictment); and (b) the judge gives permission to serve a proposed indictment. (2) Where this rule applies— (a) that proposed indictment constitutes the draft indictment; and (b) the prosecutor must serve the draft indictment on the Crown Court officer not more than 20 business days after the High Court judge’s decision.

Propose a change

10.6 Draft indictment approved with deferred prosecution agreement

(1) This rule applies where— (a) the prosecutor applies to the Crown Court under rule 11.4 (Deferred prosecution agreements: Application to approve the terms of an agreement); and (b) the Crown Court approves the proposed indictment served with that application. (2) Where this rule applies, that proposed indictment constitutes the draft indictment.

Propose a change

10.7 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor on re-instituting proceedings

(1) This rule applies where the prosecutor wants to re-institute proceedings in the Crown Court under section 22B of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. (2) The prosecutor must serve a draft indictment on the Crown Court officer not more than 3months after the proceedings were stayed under section 22(4) of that Act.

Propose a change

10.8 Draft indictment served by the prosecutor at the direction of the Court of Appeal

(1) This rule applies where the Court of Appeal orders a retrial. (2) The prosecutor must serve a draft indictment on the Crown Court officer not more than 20 business days after that order.

Propose a change

10.9 Application to a High Court judge for permission to serve a draft indictment

(1) This rule applies where a prosecutor wants a High Court judge’s permission to serve a draft indictment. (2) Such a prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing; (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the proposed defendant, unless the judge otherwise directs; and (c) ask for a hearing, if the prosecutor wants one, and explain why it is needed. (3) The application must— (a) attach— (i) the proposed indictment, (ii) copies of the documents containing the evidence on which the prosecutor relies, including any written witness statement or statements complying with rule 16.2 (Content of written witness statement) and any documentary exhibit to any such statement, (iii) a copy of any indictment on which the defendant already has been arraigned, and (iv) if not contained in such an indictment, a list of any offence or offences for which the defendant already has been sent for trial; (b) include— (i) a concise statement of the circumstances in which, and the reasons why, the application is made, and (ii) a concise summary of the evidence contained in the documents accompanying the application, identifying each passage in those documents said to evidence each offence alleged by the prosecutor and relating that evidence to each count in the proposed indictment; and (c) contain a statement that, to the best of the prosecutor’s knowledge, information and belief— (i) the evidence on which the prosecutor relies will be available at the trial, and (ii) the allegations contained in the application are substantially true unless the application is made by or on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Director of the Serious Fraud Office. (4) A proposed defendant served with an application who wants to make representations to the judge must— (a) serve the representations on the court officer and on the prosecutor; (b) do so as soon as practicable, and in any event within such period as the judge directs; and (c) ask for a hearing, if the proposed defendant wants one, and explain why it is needed. (5) The judge may determine the application— (a) without a hearing, or at a hearing in public or in private; and (b) with or without receiving the oral evidence of any proposed witness. (6) At any hearing, if the judge so directs a statement required by paragraph (3)(c) must be repeated on oath or affirmation. (7) If the judge gives permission to serve a draft indictment, the decision must be recorded in writing and endorsed on, or annexed to, the proposed indictment. [Note. See section 2(6) of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933.]

Propose a change

11.1 When this Part applies

(1) This Part applies to proceedings in the Crown Court under Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. (2) In this Part— (a) ‘agreement’ means a deferred prosecution agreement under paragraph 1 of that Schedule; (b) ‘prosecutor’ means a prosecutor designated by or under paragraph 3 of that Schedule; and (c) ‘defendant’ means the corporation, partnership or association with whom the prosecutor proposes to enter, or enters, an agreement. [Note. Under Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013, a designated prosecutor may make a deferred prosecution agreement with a defendant, other than an individual, whom the prosecutor is considering prosecuting for an offences or offences listed in that Schedule. Under such an agreement, the defendant agrees to comply with its terms and the prosecutor agrees that, if the Crown Court approves those terms, then paragraph 2 of the Schedule will apply and— (a) the prosecutor will serve a draft indictment charging the defendant with the offence or offences the subject of the agreement; (b) the prosecution will be suspended under that paragraph, and the suspension may not be lifted while the agreement is in force; and (c) no-one may prosecute the defendant for the offence or offences charged while the agreement is in force, or after it expires if the defendant complies with it. The Code for prosecutors issued under paragraph 6 of that Schedule contains guidance on the exercise of prosecution functions in relation to a deferred prosecution agreement.]

Propose a change

11.2 Exercise of court’s powers

(1) The court must determine an application to which this Part applies at a hearing, which— (a) must be in private, under rule 11.3 (Application to approve a proposal to enter an agreement); (b) may be in public or private, under rule 11.4 (Application to approve the terms of an agreement), rule 11.6 (Application to approve a variation of the terms of an agreement) or rule 11.9 (Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor); and (c) must be in public, under rule 11.5 (Application on breach of agreement) or rule 11.7 (Application to lift suspension of prosecution), unless the court otherwise directs. (2) If at a hearing in private to which rule 11.4 or rule 11.6 applies the court approves the agreement or the variation proposed, the court must announce its decision and reasons at a hearing in public. (3) The court must not determine an application under rule 11.3, rule 11.4 or rule 11.6 unless— (a) both parties are present; (b) the prosecutor provides the court with a written declaration that, for the purposes of the application— (i) the investigator enquiring into the alleged offence or offences has certified that no information has been supplied which the investigator knows to be inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, and (ii) the prosecutor has complied with the prosecution obligation to disclose material to the defendant; and (c) the defendant provides the court with a written declaration that, for the purposes of the application— (i) the defendant has not supplied any information which the defendant knows to be inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, and (ii) the individual through whom the defendant makes the declaration has made reasonable enquiries and believes the defendant’s declaration to be true. (4) The court must not determine an application under rule 11.5 or rule 11.7— (a) in the prosecutor’s absence; or (b) in the absence of the defendant, unless the defendant has had at least 20 business days in which to make representations. (5) If the court approves a proposal to enter an agreement— (a) the general rule is that any further application to which this Part applies must be made to the same judge; but (b) the court may direct other arrangements. (6) The court may adjourn a hearing— (a) if either party asks, or on its own initiative; and (b) in particular, if the court requires more information about— (i) the facts of an alleged offence, (ii) the terms of a proposal to enter an agreement, or of a proposed agreement or variation of an agreement, or (iii) the circumstances in which the prosecutor wants the court to decide whether the defendant has failed to comply with the terms of an agreement. (7) The court may— (a) hear an application under rule 11.4 immediately after an application under rule 11.3, if the court approves a proposal to enter an agreement; and (b) hear an application under rule 11.7 immediately after an application under rule 11.5, if the court terminates an agreement. [Note. See paragraphs 7(4), 8(5), (6) and 10(5), (6) of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. The Code for prosecutors issued under paragraph 6 of that Schedule contains guidance on fulfilling the prosecution duty of disclosure.]

Propose a change

11.3 Application to approve a proposal to enter an agreement

(1) This rule applies where a prosecutor wants the court to approve a proposal to enter an agreement. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing after the commencement of negotiations between the parties but before the terms of agreement have been settled; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. (3) The application must— (a) identify the parties to the proposed agreement; (b) attach a proposed indictment setting out such of the offences listed in Part 2 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013 as the prosecutor is considering; (c) include or attach a statement of facts proposed for inclusion in the agreement, which must give full particulars of each alleged offence, including details of any alleged financial gain or loss; (d) include any information about the defendant that would be relevant to sentence in the event of conviction for the offence or offences; (e) specify the proposed expiry date of the agreement; (f) describe the proposed terms of the agreement, including details of any— (i) monetary penalty to be paid by the defendant, and the time within which any such penalty is to be paid, (ii) compensation, reparation or donation to be made by the defendant, the identity of the recipient of any such payment and the time within which any such payment is to be made, (iii) surrender of profits or other financial benefit by the defendant, and the time within which any such sum is to be surrendered, (iv) arrangement to be made in relation to the management or conduct of the defendant’s business, (v) co-operation required of the defendant in any investigation related to the offence or offences, (vi) other action required of the defendant, (vii) arrangement to monitor the defendant’s compliance with a term, (viii) consequence of the defendant’s failure to comply with a term, and (ix) prosecution costs to be paid by the defendant, and the time within which any such costs are to be paid; (g) in relation to those terms, explain how they comply with— (i) the requirements of the code issued under paragraph 6 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013, and (ii) any sentencing guidelines or guideline cases which apply; (h) contain or attach the defendant’s written consent to the proposal; and (i) explain why— (i) entering into an agreement is likely to be in the interests of justice, and (ii) the proposed terms of the agreement are fair, reasonable and proportionate. (4) If the proposed statement of facts includes assertions that the defendant does not admit, the application must— (a) specify the facts that are not admitted; and (b) explain why that is immaterial for the purposes of the proposal to enter an agreement. [Note. See paragraphs 5 and 7 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013.]

Propose a change

11.4 Application to approve the terms of an agreement

(1) This rule applies where— (a) the court has approved a proposal to enter an agreement on an application under rule 11.3; and (b) the prosecutor wants the court to approve the terms of the agreement. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing as soon as practicable after the parties have settled the terms; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. (3) The application must— (a) attach the agreement; (b) indicate in what respect, if any, the terms of the agreement differ from those proposed in the application under rule 11.3; (c) contain or attach the defendant’s written consent to the agreement; (d) explain why— (i) the agreement is in the interests of justice, and (ii) the terms of the agreement are fair, reasonable and proportionate; (e) attach a draft indictment, charging the defendant with the offence or offences the subject of the agreement; and (f) include any application for the hearing to be in private. (4) If the court approves the agreement and the draft indictment, the court officer must— (a) endorse any paper copy of the indictment made for the court with— (i) a note to identify it as the indictment approved by the court, and (ii) the date of the court’s approval; and (b) treat the case as if it had been suspended by order of the court. [Note. See paragraph 8 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. See also rule 11.9 (Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor). Under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 17 to the 2013 Act and section 2 of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933,the draft indictment to which this rule applies becomes an indictment when the court approves the agreement and consents to the service of that draft. Part 10 contains rules about indictments. Under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 17 to the 2013 Act, on approval of the draft indictment the proceedings are automatically suspended. Under paragraph 13(2) of Schedule 17 to the 2013 Act, where the court approves an agreement the statement of facts contained in that agreement is to be treated as an admission by the defendant under section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (proof by formal admission) in any criminal proceedings against the defendant for the alleged offence.]

Propose a change

11.5 Application on breach of agreement

(1) This rule applies where— (a) the prosecutor believes that the defendant has failed to comply with the terms of an agreement; and (b) the prosecutor wants the court to decide— (i) whether the defendant has failed to comply, and (ii) if so, whether to terminate the agreement, or to invite the parties to agree proposals to remedy that failure. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the grounds for doing so; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. (3) The application must— (a) specify each respect in which the prosecutor believes the defendant has failed to comply with the terms of the agreement, and explain the reasons for the prosecutor’s belief; and (b) attach a copy of any document containing evidence on which the prosecutor relies. (4) A defendant who wants to make representations in response to the application must serve the representations on— (a) the court officer; and (b) the prosecutor, not more than 20 business days after service of the application. [Note. See paragraph 9 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. See also rule 11.9 (Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor).]

Propose a change

11.6 Application to approve a variation of the terms of an agreement

(1) This rule applies where the parties have agreed to vary the terms of an agreement because— (a) on an application under rule 11.5 (Application on breach of agreement), the court has invited them to do so; or (b) variation of the agreement is necessary to avoid a failure by the defendant to comply with its terms in circumstances that were not, and could not have been, foreseen by either party at the time the agreement was made. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing, as soon as practicable after the parties have settled the terms of the variation; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. (3) The application must— (a) specify each variation proposed; (b) contain or attach the defendant’s written consent to the variation; (c) explain why— (i) the variation is in the interests of justice, and (ii) the terms of the agreement as varied are fair, reasonable and proportionate; and (d) include any application for the hearing to be in private. [Note. See paragraph 10 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. See also rule 11.9 (Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor).]

Propose a change

11.7 Application to lift suspension of prosecution

(1) This rule applies where— (a) the court terminates an agreement before its expiry date; and (b) the prosecutor wants the court to lift the suspension of the prosecution that applied when the court approved the terms of the agreement. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) apply in writing, as soon as practicable after the termination of the agreement; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. (3) A defendant who wants to make representations in response to the application must serve the representations on— (a) the court officer; and (b) the prosecutor, not more than 20 business days after service of the application. [Note. See paragraphs 2(3) and 9 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013.]

Propose a change

11.8 Notice to discontinue prosecution

(1) This rule applies where an agreement expires— (a) on its expiry date, or on a date treated as its expiry date; and (b) without having been terminated by the court. (2) The prosecutor must— (a) as soon as practicable give notice in writing discontinuing the prosecution on the indictment approved by the court under rule 11.4 (Application to approve the terms of an agreement); and (b) serve the notice on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the defendant. [Note. See paragraph 11 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013.]

Propose a change

11.9 Application to postpone the publication of information by the prosecutor

(1) This rule applies where the prosecutor— (a) makes an application under rule 11.4 (Application to approve the terms of an agreement), rule 11.5 (Application on breach of agreement) or rule 11.6 (Application to approve a variation of the terms of an agreement); (b) decides not to make an application under rule 11.5, despite believing that the defendant has failed to comply with the terms of the agreement; or (c) gives a notice under rule 11.8 (Notice to discontinue prosecution). (2) A party who wants the court to order that the publication of information by the prosecutor about the court’s or the prosecutor’s decision should be postponed must— (a) apply in writing, as soon as practicable and in any event before such publication occurs; (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, and (ii) the other party; and (c) in the application— (i) specify the proposed terms of the order, and for how long it should last, and (ii) explain why an order in the terms proposed is necessary. [Note. See paragraph 12 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013. Part 6 of these Rules contains rules about applications for a restriction on reporting what takes place at a public hearing, or public access to what otherwise would be a public hearing.]

Propose a change

11.10 Duty of court officer, etc.

(1) Unless the court otherwise directs, the court officer must— (a) arrange for the recording of proceedings on an application to which this Part applies; and (b) arrange for the transcription of such a recording if— (i) a party wants such a transcript, or (ii) anyone else wants such a transcript (but that is subject to the restrictions in paragraph (2)). (2) Unless the court otherwise directs, a person who transcribes a recording of proceedings under such arrangements— (a) must not supply anyone other than a party with a transcript of a recording of— (i) a hearing in private, or (ii) a hearing in public to which reporting restrictions apply; but (b) subject to that, must supply any person with any transcript for which that person asks— (i) in accordance with the transcription arrangements made by the court officer, and (ii) on payment by that person of any fee prescribed. (3) The court officer must not identify either party to a hearing in private under rule 11.3 (Application to approve a proposal to enter an agreement) or rule 11.4 (Application to approve the terms of an agreement)— (a) in any notice displayed in the vicinity of the courtroom; or (b) in any other information published by the court officer.

Propose a change

11.11 Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part

(1) The court may— (a) shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit under this Part; and (b) allow there to be made orally— (i) an application under rule 11.4 (Application to approve the terms of an agreement), or (ii) an application under rule 11.7 (Application to lift suspension of prosecution) where the court exercises its power under rule 11.2(7) to hear one application immediately after another. (2) A party who wants an extension of time must— (a) apply when serving the application or notice for which it is needed; and (b) explain the delay.

Propose a change

12.1 When this Part applies

(1) This Part applies where— (a) the Director of Public Prosecutions can discontinue a case in a magistrates’ court, under section 23 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985; or (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions, or another public prosecutor, can discontinue a case sent for trial in the Crown Court, under section 23A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. (2) In this Part, ‘prosecutor’ means one of those authorities. [Note. Under section 23 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, the Director of Public Prosecutions may discontinue proceedings in a magistrates’ court, before the court— (a) sends the defendant for trial in the Crown Court; or (b) begins to hear the prosecution evidence, at a trial in the magistrates’ court. Under section 23(4) of the 1985 Act, the Director may discontinue proceedings where a person charged is in custody but has not yet been brought to court. Under section 23 of the 1985 Act, the defendant has a right to require the proceedings to continue. See rule 12.3. Under section 23A of the 1985 Act, the Director of Public Prosecutions, or a public authority within the meaning of section 17 of that Act, may discontinue proceedings where the defendant was sent for trial in the Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. In such a case— (a) the prosecutor must discontinue before a draft indictment becomes an indictment under rule 10.2(5); and (b) the defendant has no right to require the proceedings to continue. Where a prosecution does not proceed, the court has power to order the payment of the defendant’s costs out of central funds. See rule 45.4.]

Propose a change

12.2 Discontinuing a case

(1) A prosecutor exercising a power to which this Part applies must serve notice on— (a) the court officer; (b) the defendant; and (c) any custodian of the defendant. (2) Such a notice must— (a) identify— (i) the defendant and each offence to which the notice relates, (ii) the person serving the notice, and (iii) the power that that person is exercising; and (b) explain— (i) in the copy of the notice served on the court officer, the reasons for discontinuing the case, (ii) that the notice brings the case to an end, (iii) if the defendant is in custody for any offence to which the notice relates, that the defendant must be released from that custody, and (iv) if the notice is under section 23 of the 1985 Act, that the defendant has a right to require the case to continue. (3) Where the defendant is on bail, the court officer must notify— (a) any surety; and (b) any person responsible for monitoring or securing the defendant’s compliance with a condition of bail.

Propose a change

12.3 Defendant’s notice to continue

(1) This rule applies where a prosecutor serves a notice to discontinue under section 23 of the 1985 Act. (2) A defendant who wants the case to continue must serve notice— (a) on the court officer; and (b) not more than 25 business days after service of the notice to discontinue. (3) If the defendant serves such a notice, the court officer must— (a) notify the prosecutor; and (b) refer the case to the court.

Propose a change

13.1 When this Part applies

(1) This Part applies where the court can issue a warrant for arrest, detention or imprisonment. (2) In this Part, ‘defendant’ means anyone against whom such a warrant is issued.

Propose a change

13.2 Terms of a warrant for arrest

A warrant for arrest must require each person to whom it is directed to arrest the defendant and— (a) bring the defendant to a court— (i) specified in the warrant, or (ii) required or allowed by law; or (b) release the defendant on bail (with conditions or without) to attend court at a date, time and place— (i) specified in the warrant, or (ii) to be notified by the court. [Note. The principal provisions under which the court can issue a warrant for arrest are— (a) section 4 of the Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965; (b) section 7 of the Bail Act 1976; (c) sections 1 and 97 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980; and (d) sections 79, 80 and 81(4), (5) of the Senior Courts Act 1981. See also section 27A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (power to transfer criminal proceedings) and section 78(2) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (adjournment of Crown Court case to another place).]

Propose a change

13.3 Terms of a warrant for detention or imprisonment

(1) A warrant for detention or imprisonment must— (a) require each person to whom it is directed to detain the defendant and— (i) take the defendant to any place specified in the warrant or required or allowed by law, and (ii) deliver the defendant to the custodian of that place; and (b) require that custodian to detain the defendant, as ordered by the court, until in accordance with the law— (i) the defendant is delivered to the appropriate court or place, or (ii) the defendant is released. (2) Where a magistrates’ court remands a defendant to police detention under section 128(7) or section 136 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, or to customs detention under section 152 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the warrant it issues must— (a) be directed, as appropriate, to— (i) a constable, or (ii) an officer of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs; and (b) require that constable or officer to detain the defendant— (i) for a period (not exceeding the maximum permissible) specified in the warrant, or (ii) until in accordance with the law the defendant is delivered to the appropriate court or place. (3) Where a magistrates’ court sentences a defendant to imprisonment or detention and section 11(3) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 applies (custodial sentence imposed in the defendant’s absence), the warrant it issues must— (a) require each person to whom the warrant is directed— (i) to arrest the defendant and bring him or her to a court specified in the warrant, and (ii) unless the court then otherwise directs, after that to act as required by paragraph (1)(a) of this rule; and (b) require the custodian to whom the defendant is delivered in accordance with that paragraph to act as required by paragraph (1)(b) of this rule. [Note. Under section 128(7) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, a magistrates’ court can remand a defendant to police detention for not more than 3 clear days, if the defendant is an adult, or for not more than 24 hours if the defendant is under 18. Under section 136 of the 1980 Act, a magistrates’ court can order a defendant’s detention in police custody until the following 8am for non-payment of a fine, etc. Under section 152 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, a magistrates’ court can remand a defendant to customs detention for not more than 192 hours if the defendant is charged with a drug trafficking offence.]

Propose a change

13.4 Information to be included in a warrant

(1) A warrant must identify— (a) each person to whom it is directed; (b) the defendant against whom it was issued; (c) the reason for its issue; (d) the court that issued it, unless that is otherwise recorded by the court officer; and (e) the court office for the court that issued it. (2) A warrant for detention or imprisonment must contain a record of any decision by the court under— (a) section 91 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (remands of children otherwise than on bail), including in particular— (i) whether the defendant must be detained in local authority accommodation or youth detention accommodation, (ii) the local authority designated by the court, (iii) any requirement imposed by the court on that authority, (iv) any condition imposed by the court on the defendant, and (v) the reason for any such requirement or condition; (b) section 80 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (application of money found on defaulter to satisfy sum adjudged); or (c) section 82(1) or (4) of the 1980 Act (conditions for issue of a warrant). (3) A warrant for detention or imprisonment must include such an indication of the defendant’s physical and mental health as may be needed to alert those to whom the warrant is directed— (a) to any vulnerability of the defendant; and (b) to any risk to others that may be posed by the defendant. (4) The indication required by paragraph (3) may be given by reference to an accompanying document. (5) A warrant that contains an error is not invalid, as long as— (a) it was issued in respect of a lawful decision by the court; and (b) it contains enough information to identify that decision. [Note. See sections 93(7) and 102(5) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Under section 91 of the Act, instead of granting bail to a defendant under 18 the court may— (a) remand him or her to local authority accommodation and, after consulting with that authority, impose on the defendant a condition that the court could impose if granting bail; or (b) remand him or her to youth detention accommodation, if the defendant is at least 12 years old and the other conditions, about the offence and the defendant, prescribed by the Act are met. Under section 80 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, the court may decide that any money found on the defendant must not be applied towards payment of the sum for which a warrant is issued under section 76 of that Act (enforcement of sums adjudged to be paid). See section 82(6) of the 1980 Act. Under section 82(1) and (4), the court may only issue a warrant for the defendant’s imprisonment for non-payment of a sum due where it finds that the prescribed conditions are met. Under section 123 of the 1980 Act, “no objection shall be allowed to any … warrant to procure the presence of the defendant, for any defect in it in substance or in form …”.]

Propose a change

13.5 Execution of a warrant

(1) A warrant may be executed— (a) by any person to whom it is directed; or (b) if the warrant was issued by a magistrates’ court, by anyone authorised to do so by section 125 (warrants), 125A (civilian enforcement officers) or 125B (execution by approved enforcement agency) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980. (2) The person who executes a warrant must— (a) explain, in terms the defendant can understand, what the warrant requires, and why; (b) show the defendant the warrant, if that person has it; and (c) if the defendant asks— (i) arrange for the defendant to see the warrant, if that person does not have it, and (ii) show the defendant any written statement of that person’s authority required by section 125A or 125B of the 1980 Act. (3) The person who executes a warrant of arrest that requires the defendant to be released on bail must— (a) make a record of— (i) the defendant’s name, (ii) the reason for the arrest, (iii) the defendant’s release on bail, and (iv) when and where the warrant requires the defendant to attend court; and (b) serve the record on— (i) the defendant, and (ii) the court officer. (4) The person who executes a warrant of detention or imprisonment must— (a) take the defendant— (i) to any place specified in the warrant, or (ii) if that is not immediately practicable, to any other place at which the defendant may be lawfully detained (and the warrant then has effect as if it specified that place); (b) obtain a receipt from the custodian; and (c) notify the court officer that the defendant has been taken to that place. (5) Where a defendant is present for any purpose before a court— (a) the court officer must— (i) find out whether a warrant of arrest issued in the same or another case remains outstanding in respect of that defendant, and (ii) if so, inform the court; and (b) a court so informed may— (i) take such account of that information as the court thinks fit in making any decision required of it on that occasion, and (ii) give such directions as are lawful and practicable in respect of the execution of an outstanding warrant. [Note. Under section 125 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, a warrant issued by a magistrates’ court may be executed by any person to whom it is directed or by any constable acting within that constable’s police area. Certain warrants issued by a magistrates’ court may be executed anywhere in England and Wales by a civilian enforcement officer, under section 125A of the 1980 Act; or by an approved enforcement agency, under section 125B of the Act. In either case, the person executing the warrant must, if the defendant asks, show a written statement indicating: that person’s name; the authority or agency by which that person is employed, or in which that person is a director or partner; that that person is authorised to execute warrants; and, where section 125B applies, that the agency is registered as one approved by the Lord Chancellor. See also section 125D of the 1980 Act, under which— (a) a warrant to which section 125A applies may be executed by any person entitled to execute it even though it is not in that person’s possession at the time; and (b) certain other warrants, including any warrant to arrest a person in connection with an offence, may be executed by a constable even though it is not in that constable’s possession at the time.]

Propose a change

13.6 Warrants that cease to have effect on payment

(1) This rule applies to a warrant issued by a magistrates’ court under any of the following provisions of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980— (a) section 76 (enforcement of sums adjudged to be paid); (b) section 83 (process for securing attendance of offender); (c) section 86 (power of magistrates’ court to fix day for appearance of offender at means inquiry, etc.); or (d) section 136 (committal to custody overnight at police station for non-payment of sum adjudged by conviction). (2) The warrant no longer has effect if— (a) the sum in respect of which the warrant was issued is paid to the person executing it; (b) that sum is offered to, but refused by, that person; or (c) that person is shown a receipt for that sum given by— (i) the court officer, or (ii) the authority to which that sum is due. [Note. See sections 79 and 125(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.]

Propose a change

13.7 Warrant issued when the court office is closed

(1) This rule applies where the court issues a warrant when the court office is closed. (2) The applicant for the warrant must, not more than 72 hours later, serve on the court officer— (a) a copy of the warrant; and (b) any written material that was submitted to the court.

Propose a change

14.1 When this Part applies

(1) This Part applies where a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court can— (a) grant or withhold bail, or impose or vary a condition of bail; and (b) where bail has been withheld, extend a custody time limit. (2) Rules 14.18, 14.19 and 14.20 apply where a magistrates’ court can authorise an extension of the period for which a defendant is released on bail before being charged with an offence. (3) In this Part, ‘defendant’ includes a person who has been granted bail by a police officer. [Note. See in particular— (a) the Bail Act 1976; (b) section 128 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (general powers of magistrates’ courts in relation to bail); (c) section 81 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (general powers of the Crown Court in relation to bail); (d) section 115 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (exclusive power of the Crown Court to grant bail to a defendant charged with murder); (e) section 22 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (provision for custody time limits); (f) the Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 (maximum periods during which a defendant may be kept in custody pending trial); and (g) sections 47ZF and 47ZG of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (extensions by court of pre-charge bail time limit). At the end of this Part there isa summary of the general entitlement to bail, and of the exceptions to that entitlement.]

Propose a change

14.2 Exercise of court’s powers: general

(1) The court must not make a decision to which this Part applies unless— (a) each party to the decision and any surety directly affected by the decision— (i) is present, in person or by live link, or (ii) has had an opportunity to make representations; (b) on an application for bail by a defendant who is absent and in custody, the court is satisfied that the defendant— (i) has waived the right to attend, or (ii) was present when a court withheld bail in the case on a previous occasion and has been in custody continuously since then; (c) on a prosecutor’s appeal against a grant of bail, application to extend a custody time limit or appeal against a refusal to extend such a time limit— (i) the court is satisfied that a defendant who is absent has waived the right to attend, or (ii) the court is satisfied that it would be just to proceed even though the defendant is absent; and (d) the court is satisfied that sufficient time has been allowed— (i) for the defendant to consider the information provided by the prosecutor under rule 14.5(2), and (ii) for the court to consider the parties’ representations and make the decision required. (2) The court may make a decision to which this Part applies at a hearing, in public or in private. (3) The court may determine without a hearing an application to vary a condition of bail if— (a) the parties to the application have agreed the terms of the variation proposed; or (b) on an application by a defendant, the court determines the application no sooner than the fifth business day after the application was served. (4) The court may adjourn a determination to which this Part applies, if that is necessary to obtain information sufficient to allow the court to make the decision required. (5) At any hearing at which the court makes one of the following decisions, the court must announce in terms the defendant can understand (with help, if necessary), and by reference to the circumstances of the defendant and the case, its reasons for— (a) withholding bail, or imposing or varying a bail condition; (b) granting bail, where the prosecutor opposed the grant; or (c) where the defendant is under 18— (i) imposing or varying a bail condition when ordering the defendant to be detained in local authority accommodation, or (ii) ordering the defendant to be detained in youth detention accommodation. (6) At any hearing at which the court grants bail, the court must— (a) tell the defendant where and when to surrender to custody; or (b) arrange for the court officer to give the defendant, as soon as practicable, notice of where and when to surrender to custody. (7) This rule does not apply on an application to a magistrates’ court to authorise an extension of pre-charge bail. [Note. See section 5 of the Bail Act 1976 and sections 93(7) and 102(4) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. When, by virtue of a direction given under section 51 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a defendant attends a hearing through a live link, then under section 52A of that Act the defendant is to be treated as present in court. Under section 91 of the 2012 Act, instead of granting bail to a defendant under 18 the court may— (a) remand him or her to local authority accommodation and, after consulting with that authority, impose on the defendant a condition that the court could impose if granting bail; or (b) remand him or her to youth detention accommodation, if the defendant is at least 12 years old and the other conditions, about the offence and the defendant, prescribed by the Act are met. See also rule 14.18 (Exercise of court’s powers: extension of pre-charge bail).]

Propose a change

14.3 Duty of justices’ legal adviser

(1) This rule applies— (a) only in a magistrates’ court; and (b) unless the court— (i) includes a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts), and (ii) otherwise directs. (2) A justices’ legal adviser must ask such questions as may be needed to obtain information sufficient to allow the court to make such decisions as are required. [Note. For the functions of a justices’ legal adviser, see sections 28 and 29 of the Courts Act 2003. See also rule 2.12 (Duties of justices’ legal adviser).]

Propose a change

14.4 General duties of court officer

(1) The court officer must arrange for a note or other record to be made of— (a) the parties’ representations about bail; and (b) the court’s reasons for a decision— (i) to withhold bail, or to impose or vary a bail condition, (ii) to grant bail, where the prosecutor opposed the grant, or (iii) on an application to which rule 14.19 applies (Application to authorise extension of pre-charge bail). (2) The court officer must serve notice of a decision about bail on— (a) the defendant (but, in the Crown Court, only where the defendant’s legal representative asks for such a notice, or where the defendant has no legal representative); (b) the prosecutor (but only where the court granted bail, the prosecutor opposed the grant, and the prosecutor asks for such a notice); (c) a party to the decision who was absent when it was made; (d) a surety who is directly affected by the decision; (e) the defendant’s custodian, where the defendant is in custody and the decision requires the custodian— (i) to release the defendant (or will do so, if a requirement ordered by the court is met), or (ii) to transfer the defendant to the custody of another custodian; and (f) the court officer for any other court at which the defendant is required by that decision to surrender to custody. (3) Where the court postpones the date on which a defendant who is on bail must surrender to custody, the court officer must serve notice of the postponed date on— (a) the defendant; and (b) any surety. (4) Where a magistrates’ court withholds bail in a case to which section 5(6A) of the Bail Act 1976 applies (remand in custody after hearing full argument on an application for bail), the court officer must serve on the defendant a certificate that the court heard full argument. (5) Where the court determines without a hearing an application to which rule 14.19 applies (Application to authorise extension of pre-charge bail), the court officer must— (a) if the court allows the application, notify the applicant; and (b) if the court refuses the application, notify the applicant and the defendant. [Note. See section 5 of the Bail Act 1976; section 43 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980; and section 52 of the Mental Health Act 1983.]

Propose a change

14.5 Prosecutor’s representations about bail

(1) This rule applies whenever the court can grant or withhold bail. (2) The prosecutor must as soon as practicable— (a) provide the defendant with all the information in the prosecutor’s possession which is material to what the court must decide; and (b) provide the court with the same information. (3) A prosecutor who opposes the grant of bail must specify— (a) each exception to the general right to bail on which the prosecutor relies; and (b) each consideration that the prosecutor thinks relevant. (4) A prosecutor who wants the court to impose a condition on any grant of bail must— (a) specify each condition proposed; and (b) explain what purpose would be served by such a condition. [Note. A summary of the general entitlement to bail and of the exceptions to that entitlement is at the end of this Part.]

Propose a change

14.6 Reconsideration of police bail by magistrates’ court

(1) This rule applies where— (a) a party wants a magistrates’ court to reconsider a bail decision by a police officer after the defendant is charged with an offence; and (b) a defendant wants a magistrates’ court to reconsider a bail condition imposed by a police officer before the defendant is charged with an offence. (2) An application under this rule must be made to— (a) the magistrates’ court— (i) to whose custody the defendant is under a duty to surrender, if any, or (ii) by which the most recent previous extension of pre-charge bail has been authorised, if applicable; or (b) any magistrates’ court acting for the police officer’s local justice area, in any other case. (3) The applicant party must— (a) apply in writing; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, (ii) the other party, and (iii) any surety affected or proposed. (4) The application must— (a) specify— (i) the decision that the applicant wants the court to make, (ii) each offence charged, or for which the defendant was arrested, and (iii) the police bail decision to be reconsidered and the reasons given for it; (b) explain, as appropriate— (i) why the court should grant bail itself, or withdraw it, or impose or vary a condition, and (ii) if the applicant is the prosecutor, what material information has become available since the police bail decision was made; (c) propose the terms of any suggested condition of bail; and (d) if the applicant wants an earlier hearing than paragraph (7) requires, ask for that, and explain why it is needed. (5) A prosecutor who applies under this rule must serve on the defendant, with the application, notice that the court has power to withdraw bail and, if the defendant is absent when the court makes its decision, order the defendant’s arrest. (6) A party who opposes an application must— (a) so notify the court officer and the applicant at once; and (b) serve on each notice of the reasons for opposition. (7) Unless the court otherwise directs, the court officer must arrange for the court to hear the application as soon as practicable and in any event— (a) if it is an application to withdraw bail, no later than the second business day after it was served; and (b) in any other case, no later than the fifth business day after it was served. (8) The court may— (a) vary or waive a time limit under this rule; (b) allow an application to be in a different form to one issued under the Practice Direction; and (c) if rule 14.2 allows, determine without a hearing an application to vary a condition. [Note. Under section 5B of the Bail Act 1976— (a) where a defendant has been charged with an offence which can be tried in the Crown Court; or (b) in an extradition case, on application by the prosecutor a magistrates’ court may withdraw bail granted by a constable, impose conditions of bail, or vary conditions of bail. See also sections 37, 37C(2)(b), 37CA(2)(b), 46A and 47(1B) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Under section 43B of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, where a defendant has been charged with an offence, on application by the defendant a magistrates’ court may grant bail itself, in substitution for bail granted by a custody officer, or vary the conditions of bail granted by a custody officer. See also sections 37, 37C(2)(b), 37CA(2)(b), 46A and 47(1C), (1D) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Under section 47(1E) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, where a defendant has been released on bail by a custody officer without being charged with an offence, on application by the defendant a magistrates’ court may vary any conditions of that bail. See also rules 14.18 and 14.19 and sections 37, 37C(2)(b), 37CA(2)(b), 46A and 47(1C) of the Act.]

Propose a change

14.7 Notice of application to consider bail

(1) This rule applies where— (a) in a magistrates’ court— (i) a prosecutor wants the court to withdraw bail granted by the court, or to impose or vary a condition of such bail, or (ii) a defendant wants the court to reconsider such bail before the next hearing in the case; and (b) in the Crown Court— (i) a party wants the court to grant bail that has been withheld, or to withdraw bail that has been granted, or to impose a new bail condition or to vary a present one, or (ii) a prosecutor wants the court to consider whether to grant or withhold bail, or impose or vary a condition of bail, under section 88 or section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (bail and custody in connection with an intended application to the Court of Appeal to which Part 27 (Retrial after acquittal) applies). (2) Such a party must— (a) apply in writing; (b) serve the application on— (i) the court officer, (ii) the other party, and (iii) any surety affected or proposed; and (c) serve the application not less than 2 business days before any hearing in the case at which the applicant wants the court to consider it, if such a hearing is already due. (3) The application must— (a) specify— (i) the decision that the applicant wants the court to make, (ii) each offence charged, and (iii) each relevant previous bail decision and the reasons given for each; (b) if the applicant is a defendant, explain— (i) as appropriate, why the court should not withhold bail, or why it should vary a condition, and (ii) what further information or legal argument, if any, has become available since the most recent previous bail decision was made; (c) if the applicant is the prosecutor, explain— (i) as appropriate, why the court should withdraw bail, or impose or vary a condition, and (ii) what material information has become available since the most recent previous bail decision was made; (d) propose the terms of any suggested condition of bail; and (e) if the applicant wants an earlier hearing than paragraph (6) requires, ask for that, and explain why it is needed. (4) A prosecutor who applies under this rule must serve on the defendant, with the application, notice that the court has power to withdraw bail and, if the defendant is absent when the court makes its decision, order the defendant’s arrest. (5) A party who opposes an application must— (a) so notify the court officer and the applicant at once; and (b) serve on each notice of the reasons for opposition. (6) Unless the court otherwise directs, the court officer must arrange for the court to hear the application as soon as practicable and in any event— (a) if it is an application to grant or withdraw bail, no later than the second business day after it was served; and (b) if it is an application to impose or vary a condition, no later than the fifth business day after it was served. (7) The court may— (a) vary or waive a time limit under this rule; (b) allow an application to be in a different form to one issued under the Practice Direction, or to be made orally; and (c) if rule 14.2 allows, determine without a hearing an application to vary a condition. [Note. In addition to the court’s general powers in relation to bail— (a) under section 3(8) of the Bail Act 1976, on application by either party the court may impose a bail condition or vary a condition it has imposed. Until the Crown Court makes its first bail decision in the case, a magistrates’ court may vary a condition which it imposed on committing or sending a defendant for Crown Court trial. (b) under section 5B of the Bail Act 1976, where the defendant is on bail and the offence is one which can be tried in the Crown Court, or in an extradition case, on application by the prosecutor a magistrates’ court may withdraw bail, impose conditions of bail or vary the conditions of bail. (c) under sections 88 and 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the Crown Court may remand in custody, or grant bail to, a defendant pending an application to the Court of Appeal for an order for retrial under section 77 of that Act. Under Part IIA of Schedule 1 to the Bail Act 1976, if the court withholds bail then at the first hearing after that the defendant may support an application for bail with any argument as to fact or law, whether or not that argument has been advanced before. At subsequent hearings, the court need not hear arguments which it has heard previously.]

Propose a change

14.8 Defendant’s application or appeal to the Crown Court after magistrates’ court bail decision

(1) This rule applies where a defendant wants to— (a) apply to the Crown Court for bail after a magistrates’ court has withheld bail; or (b) appeal to the Crown Court after a magistrates’ court has refused to vary a bail condition as the defendant wants. (2) The defendant must— (a) apply to the Crown Court in writing as soon as practicable after the magistrates’ court’s decision; and (b) serve the application on— (i) the Crown Court officer, (ii) the magistrates’ court officer, (iii) the prosecutor, and (iv) any surety affected or proposed. (3) The application must— (a) specify— (i) the decision that the applicant wants the Crown Court to make, and (ii) each offence charged; (b) explain— (i) as appropriate, why the Crown Court should not withhold bail, or why it should vary the condition under appeal, and (ii) what further information or legal argument, if any, has become available since the magistrates’ court’s decision; (c) propose the terms of any suggested condition of bail; (d) if the applicant wants an earlier hearing than paragraph (6) requires, ask for that, and explain why it is needed; and (e) on an application for bail, attach a copy of the certificate of full argument served on the defendant under rule 14.4(4). (4) The magistrates’ court officer must as soon as practicable serve on the Crown Court officer— (a) a copy of the note or record made under rule 14.4(1) in connection with the magistrates’ court’s decision; and (b) the date of the next hearing, if any, in the magistrates’ court. (5) A prosecutor who opposes the application must— (a) so notify the Crown Court officer and the defendant at once; and (b) serve on each notice of the reasons for opposition. (6) Unless the Crown Court otherwise directs, the court officer must arrange for the court to hear the application or appeal as soon as practicable and in any event no later than the business day after it was served. (7) The Crown Court may vary a time limit under this rule. [Note. Under section 81 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Crown Court may grant bail in a magistrates’ court case in which the magistrates’ court has withheld bail. Under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a defendant may appeal to the Crown Court against a bail condition imposed by a magistrates’ court only where— (a) the condition is one that the defendant must— (i) live and sleep at a specified place, or away from a specified place, (ii) give a surety or a security, (iii) stay indoors between specified hours, (iv) comply with electronic monitoring requirements, or (v) make no contact with a specified person; and (b) the magistrates’ court has determined an application by either party to vary that condition. In an extradition case, where a magistrates’ court withholds bail or imposes bail conditions, on application by the defendant the High Court may grant bail, or vary the conditions, under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967. For the procedure in the High Court, see Schedule 1 to the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (RSC Order 79).]

Propose a change

14.9 Prosecutor’s appeal against grant of bail

(1) This rule applies where a prosecutor wants to appeal— (a) to the Crown Court against a grant of bail by a magistrates’ court, in a case in which the defendant has been charged with, or convicted of, an offence punishable with imprisonment; or (b) to the High Court against a grant of bail— (i) by a magistrates’ court, in an extradition case, or (ii) by the Crown Court, in a case in which the defendant has been charged with, or convicted of, an offence punishable with imprisonment (but not in a case in which the Crown Court granted bail on an appeal to which paragraph (1)(a) applies). (2) The prosecutor must tell the court which has granted bail of the decision to appeal— (a) at the end of the hearing during which the court granted bail; and (b) before the defendant is released on bail. (3) The court which has granted bail must exercise its power to remand the defendant in custody pending determination of the appeal. (4) The prosecutor must serve an appeal notice— (a) on the court officer for the court which has granted bail and on the defendant; and (b) not more than 2 hours after telling that court of the decision to appeal. (5) The appeal notice must specify— (a) each offence with which the defendant is charged; (b) the decision under appeal; (c) the reasons given for the grant of bail; and (d) the grounds of appeal. (6) On an appeal to the Crown Court, the magistrates’ court officer must, as soon as practicable, serve on the Crown Court officer— (a) the appeal notice; (b) a copy of the note or record made under rule 14.4(1) (record of bail decision); and (c) notice of the date of the next hearing in the court which has granted bail. (7) If the Crown Court so directs, the Crown Court officer must arrange for the defendant to be assisted by the Official Solicitor in a case in which the defendant— (a) has no legal representative; and (b) asks for such assistance. (8) On an appeal to the Crown Court, the Crown Court officer must arrange for the court to hear the appeal as soon as practicable and in any event no later than the second business day after the appeal notice was served. (9) The prosecutor— (a) may abandon an appeal to the Crown Court without the court’s permission, by serving a notice of abandonment, signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor, on— (i) the defendant, (ii) the Crown Court officer, and (iii) the magistrates’ court officer before the hearing of the appeal begins; but (b) after the hearing of the appeal begins, may only abandon the appeal with the Crown Court’s permission. (10) The court officer for the court which has granted bail must instruct the defendant’s custodian to release the defendant on the bail granted by that court, subject to any condition or conditions of bail imposed, if— (a) the prosecutor fails to serve an appeal notice within the time to which paragraph (4) refers; or (b) the prosecutor serves a notice of abandonment under paragraph (9). [Note. See section 1 of the Bail (Amendment) Act 1993. The time limit for serving an appeal notice is prescribed by section 1(5) of the Act. It may be neither extended nor shortened. For the procedure in the High Court, see Schedule 1 to the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (RSC Order 79, rule 9) and the Practice Direction which supplements that Order. Under those provisions, the prosecutor must file in the High Court, among other things— (a) a copy of the appeal notice served by the prosecutor under rule 14.9(4); (b) notice of the Crown Court decision to grant bail served on the prosecutor under rule 14.4(2); and (c) notice of the date of the next hearing in the Crown Court.]

Propose a change

14.10 Consideration of bail in a murder case

(1) This rule applies in a case in which— (a) the defendant is charged with murder; and (b) the Crown Court has not yet considered bail. (2) The magistrates’ court officer must arrange with the Crown Court officer for the Crown Court to consider bail as soon as practicable and in any event no later than the second business day after— (a) a magistrates’ court sends the defendant to the Crown Court for trial; or (b) the first hearing in the magistrates’ court, if the defendant is not at once sent for trial. [Note. See section 115 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.]

Propose a change

14.11 Condition of residence

(1) The defendant must notify the prosecutor of the address at which the defendant will live and sleep if released on bail with a condition of residence— (a) as soon as practicable after the institution of proceedings, unless already done; and (b) as soon as practicable after any change of that address. (2) The prosecutor must help the court to assess the suitability of an address proposed as a condition of residence.

Propose a change

14.12 Electronic monitoring requirements

(1) This rule applies where the court imposes electronic monitoring requirements, where available, as a condition of bail. (2) The court officer must— (a) inform the person responsible for the monitoring (‘the monitor’) of— (i) the defendant’s name, and telephone number if available, (ii) each offence with which the defendant is charged, (iii) details of the place at which the defendant’s presence must be monitored, (iv) the period or periods during which the defendant’s presence at that place must be monitored, and (v) if fixed, the date on which the defendant must surrender to custody; (b) inform the defendant and, where the defendant is under 16, an appropriate adult, of the monitor’s identity and the means by which the monitor may be contacted; and (c) notify the monitor of any subsequent— (i) variation or termination of the electronic monitoring requirements, or (ii) fixing or variation of the date on which the defendant must surrender to custody. [Note. Under section 3(6ZAA) of the Bail Act 1976, the conditions of bail that the court may impose include requirements for the electronic monitoring of a defendant’s compliance with other bail conditions, for example a curfew. Sections 3AA and 3AB of the 1976 Act set out conditions for imposing such requirements. Under section 3AC of the 1976 Act, where the court imposes electronic monitoring requirements they must provide for the appointment of a monitor.]

Propose a change

14.13 Accommodation or support requirements

(1) This rule applies where the court imposes as a condition of bail a requirement, where available, that the defendant must— (a) reside in accommodation provided for that purpose by, or on behalf of, a public authority; or (b) receive bail support provided by, or on behalf of, a public authority. (2) The court officer must— (a) inform the person responsible for the provision of any such accommodation or support (‘the service provider’) of— (i) the defendant’s name, and telephone number if available, (ii) each offence with which the defendant is charged, (iii) details of the requirement, (iv) any other bail condition, and (v) if fixed, the date on which the defendant must surrender to custody; (b) inform the defendant and, where the defendant is under 16, an appropriate adult, of— (i) the service provider’s identity and the means by which the service provider may be contacted, and (ii) the address of any accommodation in which the defendant must live and sleep; and (c) notify the service provider of any subsequent— (i) variation or termination of the requirement, (ii) variation or termination of any other bail condition, and (iii) fixing or variation of the date on which the defendant must surrender to custody.

Propose a change

14.14 Requirement for a surety or payment, etc.

(1) This rule applies where the court imposes as a condition of bail a requirement for— (a) a surety; (b) a payment; or (c) the surrender of a document or thing. (2) The court may direct how such a condition must be met. (3) Unless the court otherwise directs, if any such condition or direction requires a surety to enter into a recognizance— (a) the recognizance must specify— (i) the amount that the surety will be required to pay if the purpose for which the recognizance is entered is not fulfilled, and (ii) the date, or the event, upon which the recognizance will expire; (b) the surety must enter into the recognizance in the presence of— (i) the court officer, (ii) the defendant’s custodian, where the defendant is in custody, or (iii) someone acting with the authority of either; and (c) the person before whom the surety enters into the recognizance must at once serve a copy on— (i) the surety, and (ii) as appropriate, the court officer and the defendant’s custodian. (4) Unless the court otherwise directs, if any such condition or direction requires someone to make a payment, or surrender a document or thing— (a) that payment, document or thing must be made or surrendered to— (i) the court officer, (ii) the defendant’s custodian, where the defendant is in custody, or (iii) someone acting with the authority of either; and (b) the court officer or the custodian, as appropriate, must serve immediately on the other a statement that the payment, document or thing has been made or surrendered. (5) The custodian must release the defendant when each requirement ordered by the court has been met. [Note. See also section 119 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.]

Propose a change

← Find another law