Criminal Appeal Act 1968

1968 c.19

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to appeals in criminal cases to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal, and thence to the House of Lords.

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I1

Act not in force at Royal Assent, Act wholly in force at 1.9.1968 see s. 55(2).

Extent Information
E1

Act extends to England and Wales; for exceptions in Sch. 5 see s. 55(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), S. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

Part I Appeal to Court of Appeal in Criminal Cases

Appeal against conviction on indictment

C2C28C42C441 Right of appeal.

1

F1Subject to subsection (3) below a person convicted of an offence on indictment may appeal to the Court of Appeal against his conviction.

F22

An appeal under this section lies only—

a

with the leave of the Court of Appeal; or

b

ifF186, within 28 days from the date of the conviction, the judge of the court of trial grants a certificate that the case is fit for appeal.

F33

Where a person is convicted before the Crown Court of a scheduled offence it shall not be open to him to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the conviction on the ground that the decision of the court which F246sent him to the Crown Court for trial as to the value involved was mistaken.

4

In subsection (3) above “scheduled offence” and “the value involved” have the same meanings as they have in section 22 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (certain offences against property to be tried summarily if value of property or damage is small).

2 Grounds for allowing appeal under s. 1.

C3F41

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Court of Appeal—

a

shall allow an appeal against conviction if they think that the conviction is unsafe; and

b

shall dismiss such an appeal in any other case.

2

In the case of an appeal against conviction the Court shall, if they allow the appeal, quash the conviction.

3

An order of the Court of Appeal quashing a conviction shall, except when under section 7 below the appellant is ordered to be retried, operate as a direction to the court of trial to enter, instead of the record of conviction, a judgment and verdict of acquittal.

3 Power to substitute conviction of alternative offence.

1

This section applies on an appeal against conviction, where the appellant has been convicted of an offence F129to which he did not plead guilty and the jury could on the indictment have found him guilty of some other offence, and on the finding of the jury it appears to the Court of Appeal that the jury must have been satisfied of facts which proved him guilty of the other offence.

2

The Court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the verdict found by the jury a verdict of guilty of the other offence, and pass such sentence in substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be authorised by law for the other offence, not being a sentence of greater severity.

3AF130Power to substitute conviction of alternative offence after guilty plea

1

This section applies on an appeal against conviction where—

a

an appellant has been convicted of an offence to which he pleaded guilty,

b

if he had not so pleaded, he could on the indictment have pleaded, or been found, guilty of some other offence, and

c

it appears to the Court of Appeal that the plea of guilty indicates an admission by the appellant of facts which prove him guilty of the other offence.

2

The Court of Appeal may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the appellant’s plea of guilty a plea of guilty of the other offence and pass such sentence in substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be authorised by law for the other offence, not being a sentence of greater severity.

4F182Power to re-sentence where appellant remains convicted of related offences.

F1871

This section applies where—

a

two or more related sentences are passed,

b

the Court of Appeal allow an appeal against conviction in respect of one or more of the offences for which the sentences were passed (“the related offences”), but

c

the appellant remains convicted of one or more of those offences.

2

Except as provided by subsection (3) below, the Court may F188in respect of any related offence of which the appellant remains convicted pass such sentence, in substitution for any sentence passed thereon at the trial, as they think proper and is authorised by law F189... .

3

The Court shall not under this section pass any sentence such that the appellant’s sentence F190(taken as a whole) for all the related offences of which he remains convicted will, in consequence of the appeal, be of greater severity than the sentence (taken as a whole) which was passed at the trial F191for all the related offences.

F1924

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), two or more sentences are related if—

a

they are passed on the same day,

b

they are passed on different days but the court in passing any one of them states that it is treating that one together with the other or others as substantially one sentence, or

c

they are passed on different days but in respect of counts on the same indictment.

5

Where—

a

two or more sentences are related to each other by virtue of subsection (4)(a) or (b), and

b

any one or more of those sentences is related to one or more other sentences by virtue of subsection (4)(c),

all the sentences are to be treated as related for the purposes of subsection (1)(a).

5 Disposal of appeal against conviction on special verdict.

1

This section applies on an appeal against conviction F5in a case where the jury have found a special verdict.

2

If the Court of Appeal consider that a wrong conclusion has been arrived at by the court of trial on the effect of the jury’s verdict they may, instead of allowing the appeal, order such conclusion to be recorded as appears to them to be in law required by the verdict, and pass such sentence in substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be authorised by law.

F66 Substitution of finding of insanity or findings of unfitness to plead etc.

1

This section applies where, on an appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal, on the written or oral evidence of two or more registered medical practitioners at least one of whom is duly approved, are of opinion—

a

that the proper verdict would have been one of not guilty by reason of insanity; or

b

that the case is not one where there should have been a verdict of acquittal, but there should have been findings that the accused was under a disability and that he did the act or made the omission charged against him.

F1402

The Court of Appeal shall make in respect of the accused—

a

a hospital order (with or without a restriction order);

b

a supervision order; or

c

an order for his absolute discharge.

3

Where—

a

the offence to which the appeal relates is an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law, and

b

the court have power to make a hospital order,

the court shall make a hospital order with a restriction order (whether or not they would have power to make a restriction order apart from this subsection).

4

Section 5A of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 (“the 1964 Act”) applies in relation to this section as it applies in relation to section 5 of that Act.

F1935

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

Where the Court of Appeal make a supervision order by virtue of this section, any power of revoking or amending it shall be exercisable as if the order had been made by the court below.

7

In this section—

hospital order” has the meaning given in section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983;

F194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

restriction order” has the meaning given to it by section 41 of that Act;

supervision order” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 1A to the 1964 Act.

Retrial

7 Power to order retrial.

1

Where the Court of Appeal allow an appeal against conviction . . . F7and it appears to the Court that the interests of justice so require, they may order the appellant to be retried.

2

A person shall not under this section be ordered to be retried for any offence other than—

a

the offence of which he was convicted at the original trial and in respect of which his appeal is allowed as mentioned in subsection (1) above;

b

an offence of which he could have been convicted at the original trial on an indictment for the first-mentioned offence; or

c

an offence charged in an alternative count of the indictment in respect of which F174no verdict was given in consequence of F175his being convicted of the first-mentioned offence.

8 Supplementary provisions as to retrial.

1

A person who is to be retried for an offence in pursuance of an order under section 7 of this Act shall be tried on a fresh indictment preferred by direction of the Court of Appeal, . . . F8F9but after the end of two months from the date of the order for his retrial he may not be arraigned on an indictment preferred in pursuance of such a direction unless the Court of Appeal give leave.

F101A

Where a person has been ordered to be retried but may not be arraigned without leave, he may apply to the Court of Appeal to set aside the order for retrial and to direct the court of trial to enter a judgment and verdict of acquittal of the offence for which he was ordered to be retried.

1B

On an application under subsection (1) or (1A) above the Court of Appeal shall have power—

a

to grant leave to arraign; or

b

to F11set aside the order for retrial anddirect the entry of a judgment and verdict of acquittal, but shall not give leave to arraign unless they are satisfied—

i

that the prosecution has acted with all due expedition; and

ii

that there is a good and sufficient cause for a retrial in spite of the lapse of time since the order under section 7 of this Act was made.

2

The Court of Appeal may, on ordering a retrial, make such orders as appear to them to be necessary or expedient—

a

for the custody or F12, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994,F13release on bail of the person ordered to be retried pending his retrial; or

b

for the retention pending the retrial of any property or money forfeited, restored or paid by virtue of the original conviction or any order made on that conviction.

3

If the person ordered to be retried was, immediately before the determination of his appeal, liable to be detained in pursuance of an order or direction under Part V of the M1Mental Health Act 1959 F14or under Part III of the Mental Health Act 1983 (other than under section 35, 36 or 38 of that Act),—

a

that order or direction shall continue in force pending the retrial as if the appeal had not been allowed; and

b

any order made by the Court of Appeal under this section for his custody or F13release on bail shall have effect subject to the said order or direction.

F153A

If the person ordered to be retried was, immediately before the determination of his appeal, liable to be detained in pursuance of a remand under F16section 36 of the Mental Health Act 1983 or an interim hospital order under F16section 38 of that Act, the Court of Appeal may, if they think fit, order that he shall continue to be detained in a hospital or mental nursing home, and in that event F16Part III of that Act shall apply as if he had been ordered under this section to be kept in custody pending his retrial and were detained in pursuance of a transfer direction together with a restriction direction.

F2183B

If the person ordered to be retried—

a

was liable to be detained in pursuance of an order or direction under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983;

b

was then made subject to a community treatment order (within the meaning of that Act); and

c

was subject to that community treatment order immediately before the determination of his appeal,

the order or direction under Part 3 of that Act and the community treatment order shall continue in force pending the retrial as if the appeal had not been allowed, and any order made by the Court of Appeal under this section for his release on bail shall have effect subject to the community treatment order.

4

Schedule 2 to this Act has effect with respect to the procedure in the case of a person ordered to be retried, the sentence which may be passed if the retrial results in his conviction and the order for costs which may be made if he is acquitted.

Appeal against sentence

C4C40C37C39C389 Appeal against sentence following conviction on indictment.

F171

A person who has been convicted of an offence on indictment may appeal to the Court of Appeal against any sentence (not being a sentence fixed by law) passed on him for the offence, whether passed on his conviction or in subsequent proceedings.

F1241A

In subsection (1) of this section, the reference to a sentence fixed by law does not include a reference to an order made under subsection (2) or (4) of section 269 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in relation to a life sentence (as defined in section 277 of that Act) that is fixed by law.

F172

A person who on conviction on indictment has also been convicted of a summary offence under F245... F18or paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (power of Crown Court to deal with summary offence where person sent for trial for indictable-only offence) may appeal to the Court of Appeal against any sentence passed on him for the summary offence (whether on his conviction or in subsequent proceedings) under subsection (7) of that section F19or sub-paragraph (4) of that paragraph.

C510 Appeal against sentence in other cases dealt with at assizes or quarter sessions.

1

This section has effect for providing rights of appeal against sentence when a person is dealt with by F20the Crown Court (otherwise than on appeal from a magistrates’ court) for an offence of which he was not convicted on indictment.

2

The proceedings from which an appeal against sentence lies under this section are those where an offender convicted of an offence by a magistrates’ court—

a

is committed by the court to be dealt with for his offence F20before the Crown Court; or

F236b

having been given a suspended sentence or made the subject of—

i

an order for conditional discharge,

ii

a youth rehabilitation order within the meaning of Part 1 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, or

iii

a community order within the meaning of Part 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003,

appears or is brought before the Crown Court to be further dealt with for the offence.

F153c

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1543

An offender dealt with for an offence before the Crown Court in a proceeding to which subsection (2) of this section applies may appeal to the Court of Appeal against any sentence passed on him for the offence by the Crown Court.

4

For purposes of subsection (3)(a) of this section F21and section 11 of this Act, any two or more sentences are to be treated as passed in the same proceeding if—

a

they are passed on the same day; or

b

they are passed on different days but the court in passing any one of them states that it is treating that one together with the other or others as substantially one sentence;

and consecutive terms of imprisonment F22or detention and terms which are wholly or partly concurrent are to be treated as a single term

F235

If by virtue of an order made under section 14 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982, the term of 4 months specified in section 4 of that Act is increased to a term of 6 months or more, subsection (3)(a) above shall have effect, for so long as the term so specified is 6 months or more, as if after the word “more” there were inserted the words “or an order for his detention in a detention centre for a term of 6 months or more has been made under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982”.

11 Supplementary provisions as to appeal against sentence.

1

F24Subject to subsection (1A) below, an appeal against sentence, whether under section 9 or under section 10 of this Act, lies only with the leave of the Court of Appeal.

F251A

If F195 , within 28 days from the date on which the sentence was passed, the judge who passed F196it grants a certificate that the case is fit for appeal under section 9 or 10 of this Act, an appeal lies under this section without the leave of the Court of Appeal.

2

Where F26the Crown Court, in dealing with an offender either on his conviction on indictment or in a proceeding to which section 10(2) of this Act applies, has passed on him two or more sentences in the same proceeding (which expression has the same meaning in this subsection as it has for the purposes of section 10), being sentences against which an appeal lies under section 9 F27(1) or section 10, an appeal or application for leave to appeal against any one of those sentences shall be treated as an appeal or application in respect of both or all of them.

F282A

Where following conviction on indictment a person has been convicted under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 of a summary offence an appeal or application for leave to appeal against any sentence for the offence triable either way shall be treated also as an appeal or application in respect of any sentence for the summary offence and an appeal or application for leave to appeal against any sentence for the summary offence shall be treated also as an appeal or application in respect of the offence triable either way.

2B

If the appellant or applicant was convicted on indictment of two or more offences triable either way, the references to the offence triable either way in subsection (2A) above are to be construed, in relation to any summary offence of which he was convicted under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 following the conviction on indictment, as references to the offence triable either way specified in the notice relating to that summary offence which was given under subsection (2) of that section.

3

On an appeal against sentence the Court of Appeal, if they consider that the appellant should be sentenced differently for an offence for which he was dealt with by the court below may—

a

quash any sentence or order which is the subject of the appeal; and

b

in place of it pass such sentence or make such order as they think appropriate for the case and as the court below had power to pass or make when dealing with him for the offence;

but the Court shall so exercise their powers under this subsection that, taking the case as a whole, the appellant is not more severely dealt with on appeal than he was dealt with by the court below.

F2403A

Where the Court of Appeal exercise their power under paragraph (a) of subsection (3) to quash a confiscation order, the Court may, instead of proceeding under paragraph (b) of that subsection, direct the Crown Court to proceed afresh under the relevant enactment.

3B

When proceeding afresh pursuant to subsection (3A), the Crown Court shall comply with any directions the Court of Appeal may make.

3C

The Court of Appeal shall exercise the power to give such directions so as to ensure that any confiscation order made in respect of the appellant by the Crown Court does not deal more severely with the appellant than the order quashed under subsection (3)(a).

3D

For the purposes of this section—

  • confiscation order” means a confiscation order made under—

    1. a

      section 1 of the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986,

    2. b

      section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988,

    3. c

      section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994, or

    4. d

      section 6 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;

  • relevant enactment”, in relation to a confiscation order quashed under subsection (3)(a), means the enactment under which the order was made.

F1554

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F295

The fact that an appeal is pending against an interim hospital order under F30the Mental Health Act 1983 shall not affect the power of the court below to renew or terminate the order or to deal withthe appellant on its termination; and where the Court of Appeal quashsuch an order but do not pass any sentence or make any other orderin its place the Court may F31, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, direct the appellant to be kept in custody orreleased on bail pending his being dealt with by the court below.

F1976

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1567

For the purposes of this section, any two or more sentences are to be treated as passed in the same proceeding if—

a

they are passed on the same day; or

b

they are passed on different days but the court in passing any one of them states that it is treating that one together with the other or others as substantially one sentence.

11AF239Quashing of certain confiscation orders: supplementary

1

This section applies where the Court of Appeal—

a

quash a confiscation order under section 11(3)(a) (“the quashed order”), and

b

under section 11(3A), direct the Crown Court to proceed afresh under the relevant enactment.

2

Nothing in this section prevents any sum paid by the appellant pursuant to the quashed order being a sum which is recoverable from the Secretary of State as a debt owing to the appellant, but the Court of Appeal may direct that any such sum is not to be repaid until such time as the Crown Court makes a confiscation order, or decides not to make such an order, when proceeding afresh pursuant to section 11(3A).

3

Nothing in this section prevents an amount which would otherwise fall to be repaid as a result of the order being quashed being set against an amount which the appellant is required to pay by virtue of a confiscation order made by the Crown Court in those proceedings.

4

In this section “confiscation order” and “relevant enactment” have the same meaning as in section 11(3D).

Appeal in cases of insanity

C612 Appeal against verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

A person in whose case there is returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity may appeal to the Court of Appeal F32against the verdict—

a

with the leave of the Court of Appeal; or

b

if F198 , within 28 days from the date of the verdict, the judge of the court of trial grants a certificate that the case is fit for appeal.

C713 Disposal of appeal under s. 12.

C8F331

Subject to the provisions of this section, the Court of Appeal—

a

shall allow an appeal under section 12 of this Act if they think that the verdict is unsafe; and

b

shall dismiss such an appeal in any other case.

3

Where apart from this subsection—

a

an appeal under section 12 of this Act would fall to be allowed; and

b

none of the grounds for allowing it relates to the question of the insanity of the accused,

the Court of Appeal may dismiss the appeal if they are of opinion that, but for the insanity of the accused, the proper verdict would have been that he was guilty of an offence other than the offence charged.

4

Where an appeal under section 12 of this Act is allowed, the following provisions apply:—

a

if the ground, or one of the grounds, for allowing the appeal is that the finding of the jury as to the insanity of the accused ought not to stand and the Court of Appeal are of opinion that the proper verdict would have been that he was guilty of an offence (whether the offence charged or any other offence of which the jury could have found him guilty), the Court—

i

shall substitute for the verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity a verdict of guilty of that offence; and

ii

shall, subject to subsection (5) below, have the like powers of punishing or otherwise dealing with the appellant, and other powers, as the court of trial would have had if the jury had come to the substituted verdict; and

b

in any other case, the Court of Appeal shall substitute for the verdict of the jury a verdict of acquittal.

5

The Court of Appeal shall not by virtue of subsection (4)(a) above sentence any person to death; but where under that paragraph they substitute a verdict of guilty of an offence for which apart from this subsection they would be required to sentence the appellant to death, their sentence shall (whatever the circumstances) be one of imprisonment for life.

6

An order of the Court of Appeal allowing an appeal in accordance with this section shall operate as a direction to the court of trial to amend the record to conform with the order.

C9F3414 Substitution of findings of unfitness to plead etc.

1

This section applies where, on an appeal under section 12 of this Act, the Court of Appeal, on the written or oral evidence of two or more registered medical practitioners at least one of whom is duly approved, are of opinion that—

a

the case is not one where there should have been a verdict of acquittal; but

b

there should have been findings that the accused was under a disability and that he did the act or made the omission charged against him.

F1412

The Court of Appeal shall make in respect of the accused—

a

a hospital order (with or without a restriction order);

b

a supervision order; or

c

an order for his absolute discharge.

3

Where—

a

the offence to which the appeal relates is an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law, and

b

the court have power to make a hospital order,

the court shall make a hospital order with a restriction order (whether or not they would have power to make a restriction order apart from this subsection).

4

Section 5A of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 (“the 1964 Act”) applies in relation to this section as it applies in relation to section 5 of that Act.

F1995

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

Where the Court of Appeal make a supervision order by virtue of this section, any power of revoking or amending it shall be exercisable as if the order had been made by the court below.

7

In this section—

hospital order” has the meaning given in section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983;

F200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

restriction order” has the meaning given to it by section 41 of that Act;

supervision order” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 1A to the 1964 Act.

F14214A Substitution of verdict of acquittal.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unfitness to stand trial

15 Right of appeal against finding of disability.

1

Where there has been a determination under section 4 of the M2Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 of the question of a person’s fitness to be tried, and F143there have beenF35findings that he is under a disability and that he did the act or made the omission charged against him, the person may appeal to the Court of Appeal against either or both of those findings.

F362

An appeal under this section lies only—

a

with the leave of the Court of Appeal; or

b

ifF201, within 28 days from the date of the finding that the accused did the act or made the omission charged, the judge of the court of trial grants a certificate that the case is fit for appeal.

16 Disposal of appeal under s. 15.

C10F371

The Court of Appeal—

a

shall allow an appeal under section 15 of this Act against a finding if they think that the finding is unsafe; and

b

shall dismiss such an appeal in any other case.

F382

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F393

Where the Court of Appeal allow an appeal under section 15 of this Act against a finding that the appellant is under a disability—

a

the appellant may be tried accordingly for the offence with which he was charged; and

b

the Court may F40, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, make such orders as appear to them necessary or expedient pending any such trial for his custody, release on bail or continued detention under the Mental Health Act 1983;

and Schedule 3 to this Act has effect for applying provisions in Part III of that Act to persons in whose case an order is made by the Court under this subsection.

4

Where, otherwise than in a case falling within subsection (3) above, the Court of Appeal allow an appeal under section 15 of this Act against a finding that the appellant did the act or made the omission charged against him, the Court shall, in addition to quashing the finding, direct a verdict of acquittal to be recorded (but not a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity).

F139Appeal against order made in cases of insanity or unfitness to plead

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F139

Ss. 16A, 16B and cross-heading inserted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 25, 60; S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

16ARight of appeal against hospital order etc.

1

A person in whose case the Crown Court—

a

makes a hospital order or interim hospital order by virtue of section 5 or 5A of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, or

b

makes a supervision order under section 5 of that Act,

may appeal to the Court of Appeal against the order.

2

An appeal under this section lies only—

a

with the leave of the Court of Appeal; or

b

if the judge of the court of trial grants a certificate that the case is fit for appeal.

16BDisposal of appeal under s. 16A

1

If on an appeal under section 16A of this Act the Court of Appeal consider that the appellant should be dealt with differently from the way in which the court below dealt with him—

a

they may quash any order which is the subject of the appeal; and

b

they may make such order, whether by substitution for the original order or by variation of or addition to it, as they think appropriate for the case and as the court below had power to make.

2

The fact that an appeal is pending against an interim hospital order under the Mental Health Act 1983 shall not affect the power of the court below to renew or terminate the order or deal with the appellant on its termination.

F2023

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

The fact that an appeal is pending against a supervision order under section 5 of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 shall not affect the power of the court below to revoke the order, or of a magistrates' court to revoke or amend it.

5

Where the Court of Appeal make a supervision order by virtue of this section, the power of revoking or amending it shall be exercisable as if the order had been made by the court below.

F184Appeals following references by the CCRC

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

16CPower to dismiss certain appeals following references by the CCRC

1

This section applies where there is an appeal under this Part following a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission under section 9(1)(a), (5) or (6) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 or section 1(1) of the Criminal Cases Review (Insanity) Act 1999.

2

Notwithstanding anything in section 2, 13 or 16 of this Act, the Court of Appeal may dismiss the appeal if—

a

the only ground for allowing it would be that there has been a development in the law since the date of the conviction, verdict or finding that is the subject of the appeal, and

b

the condition in subsection (3) is met.

3

The condition in this subsection is that if—

a

the reference had not been made, but

b

the appellant had made (and had been entitled to make) an application for an extension of time within which to seek leave to appeal on the ground of the development in the law,

the Court would not think it appropriate to grant the application by exercising the power conferred by section 18(3).

Review by Court of Appeal of cases tried on indictment

F4117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedure from notice of appeal to hearing

C11C29C4318 Initiating procedure.

1

A person who wishes to appeal under this Part of this Act to the Court of Appeal, or to obtain the leave of that court to appeal, shall give notice of appeal or, as the case may be, notice of application for leave to appeal, in such manner as may be directed by rules of court.

C12C24C33C342

Notice of appeal, or of application for leave to appeal, shall be given within twenty-eight days from the date of the conviction, verdict or finding appealed against, or in the case of appeal against sentence, from the date on which sentence was passed or, in the case of an order made or treated as made on conviction, from the date of the making of the order.

3

The time for giving notice under this section may be extended, either before or after it expires, by the Court of Appeal.

18AF42 Appeals in cases of contempt of court.

1

A person who wishes to appeal under section 13 of the Administration of Justice Act M31960 from any order or decision of the Crown Court in the exercise of jurisdiction to punish for contempt of court shall give notice of appeal in such manner as may be directed by rules of court.

2

Notice of appeal shall be given within twenty-eight days from the date of the order or decision appealed against.

3

The time for giving notice under this section may be extended, either before or after its expiry, by the Court of Appeal.

19F43 Bail.

1

The Court of Appeal may F44, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, if they think fit,—

a

grant an appellant bail pending the determination of his appeal; or

b

revoke bail granted to an appellant by the Crown Court under paragraph (f) of section 81(1) of the F221Senior Courts Act 1981F45or paragraph (a) above; or

c

vary the conditions of bail granted to an appellant in the exercise of the power conferred by F46either of those paragraphs.

2

The powers conferred by subsection (1) above may be exercised—

a

on the application of an appellant; or

b

if it appears to the registrar of criminal appeals of the Court of Appeal (hereafter referred to as “the registrar”) that any of them ought to be exercised, on a reference to the court by him.

20F47 Disposal of groundless appeal or application for leave to appeal.

If it appears to the registrar that a notice of appeal or application for leave to appeal does not show any substantial ground of appeal, he may refer the appeal or application for leave to the Court for summary determination; and where the case is so referred the Court may, if they consider that the appeal or application for leave is frivolous or vexatious, and can be determined without adjourning it for a full hearing, dismiss the appeal or application for leave summarily, without calling on anyone to attend the hearing or to appear for the Crown thereon.

21 Preparation of case for hearing.

1

The registrar shall—

a

take all necessary steps for obtaining a hearing of any appeal or application of which notice is given to him and which is not referred and dismissed summarily under the foregoing section; and

b

obtain and lay before the Court of Appeal in proper form all documents, exhibits and other things which appear necessary for the proper determination of the appeal or application.

2

Rules of court may enable an appellant to obtain from the registrar any documents or things, including copies or reproductions of documents, required for his appeal and may authorise the registrar to make charges for them in accordance with scales and rates fixed from time to time by the Treasury.

The hearing

22 Right of appellant to be present.

1

Except as provided by this section, an appellant shall be entitled to be present, if he wishes it, on the hearing of his appeal, although he may be in custody.

2

A person in custody shall not be entitled to be present—

a

where his appeal is on some ground involving a question of law alone; or

b

on an application by him for leave to appeal; or

c

on any proceedings preliminary or incidental to an appeal; or

d

where he is in custody in consequence of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or of a finding of disability,

unless the Court of Appeal give him leave to be present.

3

The power of the Court of Appeal to pass sentence on a person may be exercised although he is for any reason not present.

F1764

The Court of Appeal may give a live link direction in relation to a hearing at which the appellant is expected to be in custody but is entitled to be present (by virtue of subsection (1) or leave given under subsection (2)) at any time before the beginning of that hearing.

5

For this purpose—

a

a “live link direction” is a direction that the appellant (if he is being held in custody at the time of the hearing) is to attend the hearing through a live link from the place at which he is held; and

b

live link” means an arrangement by which the appellant is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the Court of Appeal (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded).

6

The Court of Appeal—

a

must not give a live link direction unless the parties to the appeal have had the opportunity to make representations about the giving of such a direction; and

b

may rescind a live link direction at any time before or during any hearing to which it applies (whether of its own motion or on the application of a party).

23 Evidence.

1

For F48the purposes of an appealF203, or an application for leave to appeal, under this Part of this Act the Court of Appeal may, if they think it necessary or expedient in the interests of justice—

a

order the production of any document, exhibit or other thing connected with the proceedings, the production of which appears to them necessary for the determination of the case;

F204b

order any witness to attend for examination and be examined before the Court (whether or not he was called in the proceedings from which the appeal lies); and

F49c

receive any evidence which was not adduced in the proceedings from which the appeal lies.

F2061A

The power conferred by subsection (1)(a) may be exercised so as to require the production of any document, exhibit or other thing mentioned in that subsection to—

a

the Court;

b

the appellant;

c

the respondent.

F502

The Court of Appeal shall, in considering whether to receive any evidence, have regard in particular to—

a

whether the evidence appears to the Court to be capable of belief;

b

whether it appears to the Court that the evidence may afford any ground for allowing the appeal;

c

whether the evidence would have been admissible in the proceedings from which the appeal lies on an issue which is the subject of the appeal; and

d

whether there is a reasonable explanation for the failure to adduce the evidence in those proceedings.

3

Subsection (1)(c) above applies to any F51evidence of a witness (including the appellant) who is competent but not compellable F52... .

4

For F48the purposes of an appealF205, or an application for leave to appeal, under this Part of this Act, the Court of Appeal may, if they think it necessary or expedient in the interests of justice, order the examination of any witness whose attendance might be required under subsection (1)(b) above to be conducted, in manner provided by rules of court, before any judge or officer of the Court or other person appointed by the Court for the purpose, and allow the admission of any depositions so taken as evidence before the Court.

F1775

A live link direction under section 22(4) does not apply to the giving of oral evidence by the appellant at any hearing unless that direction, or any subsequent direction of the court, provides expressly for the giving of such evidence through a live link.

F2076

In this section, “respondent” includes a person who will be a respondent if leave to appeal is granted.

23AF53 Power to order investigations.

1

On an appeal against conviction F133or an application for leave to appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal may direct the Criminal Cases Review Commission to investigate and report to the Court on any matter if it appears to the Court that—

a

F135in the case of an appeal, the matter is relevant to the determination of the F136appeal and ought, if possible, to be resolved before the F136appeal is determined;

F134aa

in the case of an application for leave to appeal, the matter is relevant to the determination of the application and ought, if possible, to be resolved before the application is determined;

b

an investigation of the matter by the Commission is likely to result in the Court being able to resolve it; and

c

the matter cannot be resolved by the Court without an investigation by the Commission.

F1311A

A direction under subsection (1) above may not be given by a single judge, notwithstanding that, in the case of an application for leave to appeal, the application may be determined by a single judge as provided for by section 31 of this Act.

2

A direction by the Court of Appeal under subsection (1) above shall be given in writing and shall specify the matter to be investigated.

3

Copies of such a direction shall be made available to the appellant and the respondent.

4

Where the Commission have reported to the Court of Appeal on any matter which they have been directed under subsection (1) above to investigate, the Court—

a

shall notify the appellant and the respondent that the Commission have reported; and

b

may make available to the appellant and the respondent the report of the Commission and any statements, opinions and reports which accompanied it.

F1325

In this section “respondent” includes a person who will be a respondent if leave to appeal is granted.

24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F54

Other matters depending on result of appeal

29 Effect of appeal on sentence.

1

The time during which an appellant is in custody pending the determination of his appeal shall, subject to any direction which the Court of Appeal may give to the contrary, be reckoned as part of the term of any sentence to which he is for the time being subject.

2

Where the Court of Appeal give a contrary direction under subsection (1) above, they shall state their reasons for doing so; and they shall not give any such direction where—

a

leave to appeal has been granted; or

b

a certificate has been given by the judge of the court of trial F55under—

i

section 1 or 11(1A) of this Act; or

ii

section 81(1B) of the F221Senior Courts Act 1981 ; or

c

the case has been referred to them F56under section 9 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995.

3

When an appellant is F57granted bail under section 19 of this Act, the time during which he is F57released on bail shall be disregarded in computing the term of any sentence to which he is for the time being subject.

4

The term of any sentence passed by the Court of Appeal under section 3, 4, 5, 11 or 13(4) of this Act shall, unless the Court otherwise direct, begin to run from the time when it would have begun to run if passed in the proceedings from which the appeal lies.

C13C14C41F5830 Restitution of property.

1

The operation of an order for the restitution of property to a person made by the Crown Court shall, unless the Court direct to the contrary in any case in which, in their opinion, the title to the property is not in dispute, be suspended until (disregarding any power of a court to grant leave to appeal out of time) there is no further possibility of an appeal on which the order could be varied or set aside, and provision may be made by rules of court for the custody of any property in the meantime.

2

The Court of Appeal may by order annul or vary any order made by the court of trial for the restitution of property to any person, although the conviction is not quashed; and the order, if annulled, shall not take effect and, if varied, shall take effect as so varied.

3

Where the F220Supreme Court restores a conviction, it may make any order for the restitution of property which the court of trial could have made.

Supplementary

30AF185Effect of interim hospital orders

1

This section applies where the Court of Appeal—

a

make an interim hospital order by virtue of any provision of this Part, or

b

renew an interim hospital order so made.

2

The court below shall be treated for the purposes of section 38(7) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (absconding offenders) as the court that made the order.

C1531 Powers of Court F183...which are exercisable by single judge.

F591

There may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as by the Court of Appeal and subject to the same provisions—

a

the powers of the Court of Appeal under this Part of this Act specified in subsection (2) below;

F157aa

the power to give leave under section 14(4B) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995;

b

the power to give directions under section 4(4) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976; and

c

the powers to make orders for the payment of costs under sections 16 to 18 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 in proceedings under this Part of this Act.

2

The powers mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above are the following:—

a

to give leave to appeal;

b

to extend the time within which notice of appeal or of application for leave to appeal may be given;

c

to allow an appellant to be present at any proceedings;

F178ca

to give a live link direction under section 22(4);

d

to order a witness to attend for examination;

F60e

to exercise the powers conferred by section 19 of this Act;

f

to make orders under section 8(2) of this Act and discharge or vary such orders;

F61g

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ;

h

to give directions under section 29(1) of this Act;

F126i

to make orders under section 23(1)(a).

F2082ZA

The power of the Court of Appeal to renew an interim hospital order made by them by virtue of any provision of this Part may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court.

F622A

The power of the Court of Appeal to suspend a person’s disqualification under F63section 40(2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court.

F642B

The power of the Court of Appeal to grant leave of appeal under section 159 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court

F1682C

The power of the Court of Appeal, under section 130 of the Licensing Act 2003, to suspend an order under section 129 of that Act may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court.

F2092D

The power of the Court of Appeal to grant leave to appeal under section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court.

F2092E

The power of the Court of Appeal to grant leave to appeal under section 35(1) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as it may be exercised by the Court.

F2382F

The powers of the Court of Appeal to make, discharge or vary a witness anonymity order under Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as they may be exercised by the Court.

3

If the single judge refuses an application on the part of an appellant to exercise in his favour any of the powers above specified, the appellant shall be entitled to have the application determined by the Court of Appeal.

31AF65 Powers of Court under Part I which are exercisable by registrar.

1

The powers of the Court of Appeal under this Part of this Act which are specified in subsection (2) below may be exercised by the registrar.

2

The powers mentioned in subsection (1) above are the following—

a

to extend the time within which notice of appeal or of application for leave to appeal may be given;

F237aa

to give a live link direction under section 22(4);

b

to order a witness to attend for examination; F128...

c

to vary the conditions of bail granted to an appellant by the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court;

F127d

to make orders under section 23(1)(a).

3

No variation of the conditions of bail granted to an appellant may be made by the registrar unless he is satisfied that the respondent does not object to the variation; but, subject to that, the powers specified in that subsection are to be exercised by the registrar in the same manner as by the Court of Appeal and subject to the same provisions.

4

If the registrar refuses an application on the part of an appellant to exercise in his favour any of the powers specified in subsection (2) above, the appellant shall be entitled to have the application determined by a single judge.

F1585

In this section “respondent” includes a person who will be a respondent if leave to appeal is granted.

31BF125Procedural directions: powers of single judge and registrar

1

The power of the Court of Appeal to determine an application for procedural directions may be exercised by—

a

a single judge, or

b

the registrar.

2

Procedural directions” means directions for the efficient and effective preparation of—

a

an application for leave to appeal, or

b

an appeal,

to which this section applies.

3

A single judge may give such procedural directions as he thinks fit—

a

when acting under subsection (1);

b

on a reference from the registrar;

c

of his own motion, when he is exercising, or considering whether to exercise, any power of his in relation to the application or appeal.

4

The registrar may give such procedural directions as he thinks fit—

a

when acting under subsection (1);

b

of his own motion.

5

This section applies to an appeal, and an application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal, under—

a

this Part,

b

section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, or

c

section 35 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

31CAppeals against procedural directions

F2101

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2102

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Subsection (4) applies if the registrar gives, or refuses to give, procedural directions.

4

A single judge may, on an application to him under subsection (5)—

a

confirm, set aside or vary any procedural directions given by the registrar, and

b

give such procedural directions as he thinks fit.

5

An application under this subsection may be made by—

a

an appellant;

b

a respondent, if the directions—

i

relate to an application for leave to appeal and appear to need the respondent’s assistance to give effect to them,

ii

relate to an application for leave to appeal which is to be determined by the Court of Appeal, or

iii

relate to an appeal.

6

In this section—

  • appellant” includes a person who has given notice of application for leave to appeal under any of the provisions mentioned in section 31B(5);

  • respondent” includes a person who will be a respondent if leave to appeal is granted.

32 Transcripts.

1

Rules of court may provide—

a

for the making of a record (whether by means of shorthand notes, by mechanical means or otherwise) of any proceedings in respect of which an appeal lies (with or without leave) to the Court of Appeal; and

b

for the making and verification of a transcript of any such record and for supplying the transcript (on payment of such charge, if any, as may be fixed for the time being by the Treasury) to the registrar for the use of the Court of Appeal or any judge exercising the powers of a judge of the Court, and to such other persons and in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the rules.

2

Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, in any case direct that a transcript shall be made of any such record made in pursuance of the rules and be supplied to him.

3

The cost—

a

of making any such record in pursuance of the rules; and

b

of making and supplying in pursuance of this section any transcript ordered to be supplied to the registrar or the Secretary of State,

shall be defrayed, in accordance with scales of payment fixed for the time being by the Treasury, out of moneys provided by Parliament; and the cost of providing and installing at a court any equipment required for the purpose of making such a record or transcript shall also be defrayed out of moneys so provided.

Part II Appeal to House of Lords from Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

The appeal

33 Right of appeal to F222Supreme Court .

1

An appeal lies to the F223Supreme Court, at the instance of the defendant or the prosecutor, from any decision of the Court of Appeal on an appeal to that court under Part I of this Act F159or Part 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003F66or section 9 (preparatory hearings) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987F67or section 35 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996F172or section 47 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

F1801A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1601B

An appeal lies to the F224Supreme Court, at the instance of the acquitted person or the prosecutor, from any decision of the Court of Appeal on an application under section 76(1) or (2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (retrial for serious offences).

2

The appeal lies only with the leave of the Court of Appeal or F225the Supreme Court; and leave shall not be granted unless it is certified by the Court of Appeal that a point of law of general public importance is involved in the decision and it appears to the Court of Appeal or F225the Supreme Court (as the case may be) that the point is one which ought to be considered by F225the Supreme Court.

C25C27C26C30C31C32C35F683

Except as provided by this Part of this Act and section 13 of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 (appeal in cases of contempt of court), no appeal shall lie from any decision of the criminal division of the Court of Appeal.

F1614

In relation to an appeal under subsection (1B), references in this Part to a defendant are references to the acquitted person.

34 Application for leave to appeal.

1

An application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal to the F226Supreme Court shall be made within the period of F14828 days beginning with the F244relevant date; and an application to the F226Supreme Court for leave shall be made within the period of F14928 days beginning with the date on which the application for leave is refused by the Court of Appeal.

F1471A

In subsection (1), “the relevant date” means—

a

the date of the Court of Appeal’s decision, or

b

if later, the date on which the F228Court of Appeal gives reasons for its decision.

2

The F226Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal may, upon application made at any time by the defendant F162or, in the case of an appeal under section 33(1B), by the prosecutor, extend the time within which an application may be made by him to F227the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal under subsection (1) above.

3

An appeal to the F226Supreme Court shall be treated as pending until any application for leave to appeal is disposed of and, if leave to appeal is granted, until the appeal is disposed of; and for purposes of this Part of this Act an application for leave to appeal shall be treated as disposed of at the expiration of the time within which it may be made, if it is not made within that time.

35 Hearing and disposal of appeal.

F2291

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2292

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

For the purpose of disposing of an appeal, the F230Supreme Court may exercise any powers of the Court of Appeal or may remit the case to the Court.

Matters preliminary to hearing

36 Bail on appeal by defendant.

The Court of Appeal mayF69, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, if it seems fit, on the application of a person appealing or applying for leave to appeal to the F231Supreme Court, F70other than a person appealing or applying for leave to appeal from a decision on an appeal under F163Part 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 or section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 F71or section 35 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (appeals against orders or rulings at preparatory hearings),F173or section 47 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 F72grant him bail pending the determination of his appeal.

C3637 Detention of defendant on appeal by the Crown.

1

The following provisions apply where, immediately after a decision of the Court of Appeal from which an appeal lies to the F232Supreme Court, the prosecutor is granted or gives notice that he intends to apply for, leave to appeal.

2

If, but for the decision of the Court of Appeal, the defendant would be liable to be detained, the Court of Appeal F211shall make—

a

an order providing for his detention, or directing that he shall not be released except on bail (which may be granted by the Court as under section 36 above), so long as the appeal is pending, or

b

an order that he be released without bail.

F2122A

The Court may make an order under subsection (2)(b) only if they think that it is in the interests of justice that the defendant should not be liable to be detained as a result of the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeal.

3

An order under F213subsection (2)(a) shall (unless the appeal has previously been disposed of) cease to have effect at the expiration of the period for which the defendant would have been liable to be detained but for the decision of the Court of Appeal.

4

Where an order is made under F214subsection (2)(a) in the case of a defendant who, but for the decision of the Court of Appeal, would be liable to be detained in pursuance of—

a

an order or direction under F73Part III of the Mental Health Act 1983 (otherwise than under section 35, 36 or 38 of that Act) (admission to hospital of persons convicted by criminal courts); or

F144b

a hospital order made by virtue of section 5(2)(a) of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 (powers to deal with persons not guilty by reason of insanity or unfit to plead etc),

the order under F214subsection (2)(a) shall be one authorising his continued detention in pursuance of the order or direction referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection; and the provisions of F73the Mental Health Act 1983 with respect to persons liable to be detained as mentioned in this subsection (including provisions as to the renewal of authority for detention and the removal or discharge of patients) shall apply accordingly.

F744A

Where an order is made under F215subsection (2)(a) in the case of a defendant who, but for the decision of the Court of Appeal, would be liable to be detained in pursuance of a remand under F75section 36 of the Mental Health Act 1983 or an interim hospital order under F75section 38 of that Act, the order may, if the Court of Appeal thinks fit, be one authorising his continued detention in a hospital or mental nursing home and in that event—

a

subsection (3) of this section shall not apply to the order;

b

F75Part III of the said Act of 1983 shall apply to him as if he had been ordered under this section to be detained in custody so long as an appeal to the House of Lords is pending and were detained in pursuance of a transfer direction together with a restriction direction; and

c

if the defendant, having been subject to an interim hospital order, is detained by virtue of this subsection and the appeal by the prosecutor succeeds, subsection (2) of the said section 31 (power of court to make hospital order in the absence of an offender who is subject to an interim hospital order) shall apply as if the defendant were still subject to an interim hospital order.

F2165

The defendant shall not be liable to be detained again as a result of the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeal if—

a

the Court of Appeal have made an order under subsection (2)(b), or

b

the Court have made an order under subsection (2)(a) but the order has ceased to have effect by virtue of subsection (3) or the defendant has been released or discharged by virtue of subsection (4) or (4A).

37AF217Continuation of community treatment order on appeal by the Crown

1

The following provisions apply where, immediately after a decision of the Court of Appeal from which an appeal lies to the Supreme Court, the prosecutor is granted, or gives notice that he intends to apply for, leave to appeal.

2

If, but for the decision of the Court of Appeal, the defendant would be liable to recall, the Court of Appeal may make an order under this section.

3

For the purposes of this section, a person is liable to recall if he is subject to a community treatment order (within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983) and, when that order was made, he was liable to be detained in pursuance of an order or direction under Part 3 of that Act.

4

An order under this section is an order providing for the continuation of the community treatment order and the order or direction under Part 3 of that Act so long as an appeal to the Supreme Court is pending.

5

Where an order is made under this section the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 with respect to persons liable to recall (including provisions as to the extension of the community treatment period, the removal or discharge of community patients, the revocation of community treatment orders and the re-detention of patients following revocation) shall apply accordingly.

6

An order under this section shall (unless the appeal has previously been disposed of) cease to have effect at the expiration of the period for which the defendant would, but for the decision of the Court of Appeal, have been—

a

liable to recall; or

b

where the community treatment order is revoked, liable to be detained in pursuance of the order or direction under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

7

Where the Court of Appeal have power to make an order under this section, and either no such order is made or the defendant is discharged, by virtue of subsection (5) or (6) of this section, before the appeal is disposed of, the defendant shall not be liable to be again detained as the result of the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeal.

38 Presence of defendant at hearing.

A defendant who F164has been convicted of an offence, or in whose case an order under section 77 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 or a declaration under section 77(4) of that Act has been made, and who is detained pending an appeal to the F233Supreme Court shall not be entitled to be present on the hearing of the appeal or of any proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto, except where an order of the F233Supreme Court authorises him to be present, or where the F233Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal, as the case may be, give him leave to be present.

39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F76

Supplementary

42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F77

43 Effect of appeal on sentence.

1

Where a person subject to a sentence is F78granted bail under section 36 or 37 of this Act, the time during which he is F78released on bail shall be disregarded in computing the term of his sentence.

2

Subject to the foregoing subsection, any sentence passed on an appeal to F234the Supreme Court in substitution for another sentence shall, unless F234the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal otherwise direct, begin to run from the time when the other sentence would have begun to run.

C1644 Powers of Court of Appeal under Part II which are exercisable by single judge.

F791

There may be exercised by a single judge—

a

the powers of the Court of Appeal under this Part of the Act—

i

to extend the time for making an application for leave to appeal;

ii

to make an order for or in relation to bail; and

iii

to give leave for a person to be present at the hearing of any proceedings preliminary or incidental to an appeal; and

b

their powers to make orders for the payment of costs under sections 16 and 17 of the M4Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 in proceedings under this Part of this Act.

, but where the judge refuses an application to exercise any of the said powers the applicant shall be entitled to have the application determined by the Court of Appeal.

F802

The power of the Court of Appeal to suspend a person’s disqualification under F81section 40(3) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 may be exercised by a single judge, but where the judge refuses an application to exercise that power the applicant shall be entitled to have the application determined by the Court of Appeal.

F1693

The power of the Court of Appeal, under section 130 of the Licensing Act 2003, to suspend an order under section 129 of that Act may be exercised by a single judge, but where the judge refuses an application to exercise that power the applicant shall be entitled to have the application determined by the Court of Appeal.

44AF82 Appeals in cases of death.

1

Where a person has died—

a

any relevant appeal which might have been begun by him had he remained alive may be begun by a person approved by the Court of Appeal; and

b

where any relevant appeal was begun by him while he was alive or is begun in relation to his case by virtue of paragraph (a) above or by a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, any further step which might have been taken by him in connection with the appeal if he were alive may be taken by a person so approved.

2

In this section “relevant appeal” means—

a

an appeal under section 1, 9, 12 or 15 of this Act; or

b

an appeal under section 33 of this Act from any decision of the Court of Appeal on an appeal under any of those sections.

3

Approval for the purposes of this section may only be given to—

a

the widow or widower F171or surviving civil partner of the dead person;

b

a person who is the personal representative (within the meaning of section 55(1)(xi) of the Administration of Estates Act 1925) of the dead person; or

c

any other person appearing to the Court of Appeal to have, by reason of a family or similar relationship with the dead person, a substantial financial or other interest in the determination of a relevant appeal relating to him.

4

Except in the case of an appeal begun by a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, an application for such approval may not be made after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of death.

5

Where this section applies, any reference in this Act to the appellant shall, where appropriate, be construed as being or including a reference to the person approved under this section.

6

The power of the Court of Appeal to approve a person under this section may be exercised by a single judge in the same manner as by the Court of Appeal and subject to the same provisions; but if the single judge refuses the application, the applicant shall be entitled to have the application determined by the Court of Appeal.

Part III Miscellaneous and General

45F83Construction of references in Parts I and II to Court of Appeal and a single judge.

F831

References in Parts I and IIF84and F137sections 44A and 51 of this Act to the Court of Appeal shall be construed as references to the criminal division of the Court.

2

The references in sections F13823A,F15031 to 31CF85, 44 and 44A of this Act to a single judge are to any judge of the Court of Appeal or F86... the High Court.

46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F87

47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F88

F15148 Appeal in capital cases.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

49 Saving for prerogative of mercy.

Nothing in this Act is to be taken as affecting Her Majesty’s prerogative of mercy.

50 Meaning of “sentence”.

C17F891

In this Act “sentence”, in relation to an offence, includes any order made by a court when dealing with an offender including, in particular—

a

a hospital order under Part III of the M5Mental Health Act 1983, with or without a restriction order;

b

an interim hospital order under that Part;

F90bb

a hospital direction and a limitation direction under that Part;

c

a recommendation for deportation;

F123ca

a confiscation order under Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;

cb

an order which varies a confiscation order made under Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 if the varying order is made under section 21, 22 or 29 of that Act (but not otherwise);

d

a confiscation order under the F91Drug Trafficking Act 1994 other than one made by the High Court;

e

a confiscation order under Part VI of the M6Criminal Justice Act 1988;

f

an order varying a confiscation order of a kind which is included by virtue of paragraph (d) or (e) above;

g

an order made by the Crown Court varying a confiscation order which was made by the High Court by virtue of F92section 19 of the Act of 1994; and

h

a F179declaration of relevance, within the meaning of section 23 of the M7Football Spectators Act 1989F170; and

i

an order under section 129(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (forfeiture or suspension of personal licence).

F931A

F94Section 14 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act (under which a conviction of an offence for which F95... an order for a conditional or absolute discharge is made is deemed not to be a conviction except for certain purposes) shall not prevent an appeal under this Act, whether against conviction or otherwise.

2

Any power of the criminal division of the Court of Appeal to pass a sentence includes a power to make a recommendation for deportation in cases where the court from which the appeal lies had power to make such a recommendation.

F963

An order F242relating to a requirement to make a payment under regulations under section 23 or 24 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 is not a sentence for the purposes of this Act.

51 Interpretation.

1

In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

  • appeal”, where used in Part I or II of this Act, means appeal under that Part, and “appellant” has a corresponding meaning and in Part I includes a person who has given notice of application for leave to appeal;

  • the court of trial”, in relation to an appeal, means the court from which the appeal lies;

  • F165. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • F97duly approved”, in relation to a registered medical practitioner, means approved for the purposes of section 12 of the Mental Health Act 1983 by the Secretary of StateF243, or by another person by virtue of section 12ZA or 12ZB of that Act, as having special experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder;

  • F98the judge of the court of trial” means, where the Crown Court comprises justices of the peace, the judge presiding;

  • F99registered medical practitioner” means a fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 F235who holds a licence to practise;

  • under disability” has the meaning assigned to it by section 4 of the M8Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 (unfitness to plead); and

  • F100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1661A

In Part 2 of this Act “the defendant”—

a

in relation to an appeal under section 33(1) of this Act against a decision of the Court of Appeal on an appeal under Part 1 of this Act, means the person who was the appellant before the Court of Appeal,

b

in relation to an appeal under section 33(1) of this Act against any other decision, means a defendant in the proceedings before the Crown Court who was a party to the proceedings before the Court of Appeal, and

c

in relation to an appeal under section 33(1B) of this Act, shall be construed in accordance with section 33(4) of this Act;

andF181... “prosecutor” shall be construed accordingly.

2

Any expression used in this Act which is defined in F101section 145(1) F102and (1AA) of the Mental Health Act 1983 has the same meaning in this Act as in that Act.

F1032A

Subsections (2) and (3) of section 54 of the Mental Health Act 1983 shall have effect with respect to proof of the appellant’s mental condition for the purposes of section F1456 or 14 of this Act as they have effect with respect to proof of an offender’s mental condition for the purposes of section 37(2)(a) of that Act.

F1043

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52 Consequential amendment of enactments. C18

1

The enactments specified in Part I of Schedule 5 to this Act shall be amended as shown in that Schedule.

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F105

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C18

The text of s. 52, Sch. 5, is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

53 Transitional provisions.

The transitional provisions contained in Schedule 6 to this Act shall have effect.

54 Repeals. C19

The enactments specified in the second column of Schedule 7 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C19

The text of s. 54, Sch. 7 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

55 Short title, commencement and extent.

1

This Act may be cited as the Criminal Appeal Act 1968.

C202

This Act shall come into force on the day appointed under section 106(5) of the M9Criminal Justice Act 1967 for the coming into force of section 98 of that Act.

3

So much of Schedule 5 to this Act as amends the M10Geneva Conventions Act 1957 shall extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland and the repeal by this Act of section 2(2) of the M11Administration of Justice Act 1960 shall extend to Northern Ireland; but except as aforesaid this Act shll not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

SCHEDULES

F109SCHEDULE 1

Annotations:

F1061

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1072

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1083

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 2 Procedural and Other Provisions Applicable on Order for Retrial

Section 8.

F152Evidence

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F152

Sch. 2 para. 1 and cross-heading substituted (4.4.2005) for Sch. 2 paras. 1, 1A by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 131, 336(3)(4) (with s. 141); S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 6 (with Sch. 2) (as explained (29.7.2005) by S.I. 2005/2122, art. 2; and as amended: (14.7.2008) by 2008 c. 4, Sch. 26 para. 78, Sch. 28 Pt. 2; S.I. 2008/1586, Sch. 1 paras. 48(s), 50(2)(d); (30.11.2009) by S.I. 2009/3111, art. 2; (3.12.2012) by S.I. 2012/2905, art. 4; (3.12.2012) by 2012 c. 10, Sch. 14 para. 17; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l))

1

On a retrial, F110paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (use of written statements and depositions) shall not apply to any written statement or deposition read as evidence at the original trial; but a transcript of the record of the evidence given by any witness at the original trial may, with the leave of the judge, be read as evidence—

a

by agreement between the prosecution and the defence; or

b

if the judge is satisfied that the witness is dead or unfit to give evidence or to attend for that purpose, or that all reasonable efforts to find him or to secure his attendance have been made without success,

and in either case may be so read without further proof, if verified in accordance with rules of court.

Sentence on conviction at retrial

2

1

Where a person ordered to be retried is again convicted on retrial, the court before which he is convicted may pass in respect of the offence any sentence authorised by law, not being a sentence of greater severity than that passed on the original conviction.

2

Without prejudice to its power to impose any other sentence, the court before which an offender is convicted on retrial may pass in respect of the offence any sentence passed in respect of that offence on the original conviction notwithstanding that, on the date of the conviction on retrial, the offender has ceased to be of an age at which such a sentence could otherwise be passed.

3

Where the person convicted on retrial is sentenced to imprisonment or other detention, the sentence shall begin to run from the time when a like sentence passed at the original trial would have begun to run; but in computing the term of his sentence or the period for which he may be detained thereunder, as the case may be, there shall be disregarded—

a

any time before his conviction on retrial which would have been disregarded in computing that term or period if the sentence had been passed at the original trial and the original conviction had not been quashed; and

b

any time during which he was F111released on bail under section 8(2) of this Act.

C214

F167F219F241Sections 240ZA and 240A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (crediting of periods of remand in custody or on bail subject to certain types of condition: terms of imprisonment and detention) shall apply to any sentence imposed on conviction on retrial as if it had been imposed on the original conviction.

F1123

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 3M12Application of Provisions in F115Part III of Mental Health Act 1983 where Order made under Section 16(3) of this Act

Section 16.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
Marginal Citations

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F113

F114 Order for continued detention under Act of 1983

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F114

Sch. 3 para. 2 substituted by Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20, SIF 85), Sch. 4 para. 23(n)(ii)

2

Where an order is made by the Court of Appeal under section 16(3) of this Act for a person’s continued detention under the Mental Health Act 1983, Part III of that Act (patients concerned in criminal proceedings or under sentence) shall apply to him as if he had been ordered under the said section 16(3) to be kept in custody pending trial and were detained in pursuance of a transfer direction together with a restriction direction.

F146SCHEDULE 4 Procedural and other Modifications for Capital Cases

Section 48.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

F146 Appeal to Court of Appeal

F1461

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1462

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F146 Appeal to Supreme Court

F1463

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1464

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C22SCHEDULE 5 Amendment of Enactments

Section 52.

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C22

The text of s. 52, Sch. 5, is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Part I Miscellaneous Consequential Amendments

. . . F116

Annotations:

. . . F117

Annotations:

The Sentence of Death (Expectant Mothers) Act 1931 (c. 24)

Section 2(4)

For the words “under the Criminal Appeal Act 1907 to the Court of Criminal Appeal” there shall be substituted the words “under Part I of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal”.

The Children and Young Persons Act (c. 12)

Section 55(5)

In paragraph (b), for the words “to the Court of Criminal Appeal in accordance with the Criminal Appeal Act 1907” there shall be substituted the words “to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal in accordance with Part I of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

The Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1952 (c. 48)

Section 7

After the word “Act” there shall be inserted the words “or the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Section 8

In subsection (1) (as amended by paragraph 22 of Schedule 4 to the M13Criminal Justice Act 1967), for the words “under section 3(2) of this Act” there shall be substituted the words “under section 24 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Section 10

For subsection (2) there shall be substituted the following subsection:—

2

Where the criminal division of the Court of Appeal order the payment of costs by the appellant under section 25 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968, or that division or the House of Lords order the payment of costs by the defendant under section 40 of that Act, the payment shall be enforceable in the same manner as an order for payment of costs made by the High Court in a civil case.

In subsection (5), after the word “Act” there shall be inserted the words “or the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Section 11(1)

After the word “Act” there shall be inserted the words “or the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Section 12

For this section there shall be substituted the following:—

12 Regulations.

1

The Secretary of State may by statutory instrument make regulations generally for carrying this Act and the associated provisions of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 into effect and in particular may by regulations so made prescribe—

a

rates or scales of payment of any costs payable out of local funds under this Act or the said associated provisions and the conditions under which such costs may be allowed;

b

the manner in which an officer of the court making a payment to any person in respect of his attendance to give evidence is to be repaid out of local funds;

c

the form of orders, certificates and notices under the Act or the said associated provisions, and the giving of information when certificates are sent under this Act by the officer of any magistrates’ court;

and any provision of this Act or the said Act of 1968 enabling any sum to be paid out of local funds shall have effect subject to the regulations.

2

In subsection (1) of this section “the associated provisions of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968” means the following provisions of that Act, namely, sections 24 to 28 and 39 to 41.

Section 17(2)

After the words “the Act” there shall be inserted the words “or the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

The Prison Act 1952 (c. 52)

Section 22(1)

For the words “the Criminal Appeal Act 1907” there shall be substituted the words “Part I of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Section 47(4)

In paragraph (c), for the words “the Criminal Appeal Act 1907” there shall be substituted the words “Part I of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

The Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (c. 52)

Section 4

For subsection (1) there shall be substituted the following subsections —

1

Where a protected prisoner of war or protected internee has been sentenced to death or to imprisonment for a term of two years or more, the time within which he must give notice of appeal or notice of his application for leave to appeal to the criminal division of the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Justiciary or the Court of Criminal Appeal in Northern Ireland, as the case may be, shall, notwithstanding anything in the enactment relating to such appeals, be the period from the date of his conviction or, in the case of an appeal against sentence, of his sentence to the expiration of twenty-eight days after the date on which he received notice given—

a

in the case of a protected prisoner of war, by an officer of Her Majesty’s forces;

b

in the case of a protected internee, by or on behalf of the governor of the prison in which he is confined,

that the protecting power has been notified of his conviction and sentence; and, in a case to which the foregoing provisions of this subsection apply, a reference to the period aforesaid shall be substituted for the reference in section 30(1)(a) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 and section 31(1)(a) of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1968 (revesting and restitution of property) to the period of twenty-eight days from the date of conviction.

1A

In the case of an appeal to the House of Lords under any of the Acts specified in the left-hand column of the following Table by a protected prisoner of war or protected internee, the period specified in the provision of that Act specified in relation thereto in the right-hand column (the provisions there listed being those which lay down the time for applying for leave to appeal) shall be extended until fourteen days after the date on which the applicant receives notice, given as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section, that the protecting power has been notified of the decision of the court from which the appeal lies, or of the refusal of that court of the application for leave to appeal, as the case may be.

Table

The Administration of Justice Act 1960

Section 2(1)

The Criminal Appeal Act 1968

Section 34(1)

The Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1968

Section 37(1)

The Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1968

Section 40(1)

. . . F118

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

. . . F119

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

The Criminal Justice Administration Act 1962 (c. 15)

Section 18(1)

For the words “section 2(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1964” there shall be substituted the words “section 8(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968”.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F120

. . . F121

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

Part II . . . F122

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

SCHEDULE 6 Transitional Provisions

Section 53.

1

1

Any right of appeal subsisting immediately before the commencement of this Act by virtue of an enactment repealed thereby shall after that commencement be treated as subsisting by virtue of the corresponding enactment in this Act.

2

Any appeal or application pending before the said commencement under an enactment so repealed may be prosecuted and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this Act corresponding to those in force immediately before the said commencement and applicable to the appeal or application.

2

1

In so far as any order made, direction given or other thing done under an enactment repealed by this Act could have been made, given or done under a corresponding provision of this Act, it shall not be invalidated by the repeal of that enactment but shall have effect as if made, given or done under that corresponding provision.

2

Any document referring to an enactment repealed by this Act shall, so far as may be necessary for preserving its effect, be construed as referring, or as including a reference, to the corresponding enactment in this Act.

3

1

The mention of particular matters in this Schedule shall not be taken to affect the general application of section 38 of the M14Interpretation Act 1889 with regard to the effect of repeals.

2

References in this Schedule to enactments repealed by this Act shall be construed as including references to enactments which are reproduced in this Act in relation to matters for which provision is made by this Act while remaining unrepealed in relation to matters for which provision is made by another Act; and section 38 of the M15Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply with respect to any such enactment as if it had been repealed by this Act in relation to matters for which provision is made by this Act.

C23SCHEDULE 7 Repeals

Section 54.

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C23

The text of s. 54, Sch. 7 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Image_r00001

Image_r00002