Criminal Justice Act 2003

Part 5Disclosure

32Initial duty of disclosure by prosecutor

In the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25) (in this Part referred to as “the 1996 Act”), in subsection (1)(a) of section 3 (primary disclosure by prosecutor)—

(a)for “in the prosecutor’s opinion might undermine” there is substituted “might reasonably be considered capable of undermining”;

(b)after “against the accused” there is inserted “or of assisting the case for the accused”.

33Defence disclosure

(1)In section 5 of the 1996 Act (compulsory disclosure by accused), after subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(5A)Where there are other accused in the proceedings and the court so orders, the accused must also give a defence statement to each other accused specified by the court.

(5B)The court may make an order under subsection (5A) either of its own motion or on the application of any party.

(5C)A defence statement that has to be given to the court and the prosecutor (under subsection (5)) must be given during the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for this section.

(5D)A defence statement that has to be given to a co-accused (under subsection (5A)) must be given within such period as the court may specify.”

(2)After section 6 of that Act there is inserted—

“6AContents of defence statement

(1)For the purposes of this Part a defence statement is a written statement—

(a)setting out the nature of the accused’s defence, including any particular defences on which he intends to rely,

(b)indicating the matters of fact on which he takes issue with the prosecution,

(c)setting out, in the case of each such matter, why he takes issue with the prosecution, and

(d)indicating any point of law (including any point as to the admissibility of evidence or an abuse of process) which he wishes to take, and any authority on which he intends to rely for that purpose.

(2)A defence statement that discloses an alibi must give particulars of it, including—

(a)the name, address and date of birth of any witness the accused believes is able to give evidence in support of the alibi, or as many of those details as are known to the accused when the statement is given;

(b)any information in the accused’s possession which might be of material assistance in identifying or finding any such witness in whose case any of the details mentioned in paragraph (a) are not known to the accused when the statement is given.

(3)For the purposes of this section evidence in support of an alibi is evidence tending to show that by reason of the presence of the accused at a particular place or in a particular area at a particular time he was not, or was unlikely to have been, at the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed at the time of its alleged commission.

(4)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the details of the matters that, by virtue of subsection (1), are to be included in defence statements.”

(3)After section 6A of that Act (inserted by subsection (2) above) there is inserted—

“6BUpdated disclosure by accused

(1)Where the accused has, before the beginning of the relevant period for this section, given a defence statement under section 5 or 6, he must during that period give to the court and the prosecutor either—

(a)a defence statement under this section (an “updated defence statement”), or

(b)a statement of the kind mentioned in subsection (4).

(2)The relevant period for this section is determined under section 12.

(3)An updated defence statement must comply with the requirements imposed by or under section 6A by reference to the state of affairs at the time when the statement is given.

(4)Instead of an updated defence statement, the accused may give a written statement stating that he has no changes to make to the defence statement which was given under section 5 or 6.

(5)Where there are other accused in the proceedings and the court so orders, the accused must also give either an updated defence statement or a statement of the kind mentioned in subsection (4), within such period as may be specified by the court, to each other accused so specified.

(6)The court may make an order under subsection (5) either of its own motion or on the application of any party.”

34Notification of intention to call defence witnesses

After section 6B of the 1996 Act (inserted by section 33 above) there is inserted—

“6CNotification of intention to call defence witnesses

(1)The accused must give to the court and the prosecutor a notice indicating whether he intends to call any persons (other than himself) as witnesses at his trial and, if so—

(a)giving the name, address and date of birth of each such proposed witness, or as many of those details as are known to the accused when the notice is given;

(b)providing any information in the accused’s possession which might be of material assistance in identifying or finding any such proposed witness in whose case any of the details mentioned in paragraph (a) are not known to the accused when the notice is given.

(2)Details do not have to be given under this section to the extent that they have already been given under section 6A(2).

(3)The accused must give a notice under this section during the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for this section.

(4)If, following the giving of a notice under this section, the accused—

(a)decides to call a person (other than himself) who is not included in the notice as a proposed witness, or decides not to call a person who is so included, or

(b)discovers any information which, under subsection (1), he would have had to include in the notice if he had been aware of it when giving the notice,

he must give an appropriately amended notice to the court and the prosecutor.”

35Notification of names of experts instructed by defendant

After section 6C of the 1996 Act (inserted by section 34 above) there is inserted—

“6DNotification of names of experts instructed by accused

(1)If the accused instructs a person with a view to his providing any expert opinion for possible use as evidence at the trial of the accused, he must give to the court and the prosecutor a notice specifying the person’s name and address.

(2)A notice does not have to be given under this section specifying the name and address of a person whose name and address have already been given under section 6C.

(3)A notice under this section must be given during the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for this section.”

36Further provisions about defence disclosure

After section 6D of the 1996 Act (inserted by section 35 above) there is inserted—

“6EDisclosure by accused: further provisions

(1)Where an accused’s solicitor purports to give on behalf of the accused—

(a)a defence statement under section 5, 6 or 6B, or

(b)a statement of the kind mentioned in section 6B(4),

the statement shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be given with the authority of the accused.

(2)If it appears to the judge at a pre-trial hearing that an accused has failed to comply fully with section 5, 6B or 6C, so that there is a possibility of comment being made or inferences drawn under section 11(5), he shall warn the accused accordingly.

(3)In subsection (2) “pre-trial hearing” has the same meaning as in Part 4 (see section 39).

(4)The judge in a trial before a judge and jury—

(a)may direct that the jury be given a copy of any defence statement, and

(b)if he does so, may direct that it be edited so as not to include references to matters evidence of which would be inadmissible.

(5)A direction under subsection (4)—

(a)may be made either of the judge’s own motion or on the application of any party;

(b)may be made only if the judge is of the opinion that seeing a copy of the defence statement would help the jury to understand the case or to resolve any issue in the case.

(6)The reference in subsection (4) to a defence statement is a reference—

(a)where the accused has given only an initial defence statement (that is, a defence statement given under section 5 or 6), to that statement;

(b)where he has given both an initial defence statement and an updated defence statement (that is, a defence statement given under section 6B), to the updated defence statement;

(c)where he has given both an initial defence statement and a statement of the kind mentioned in section 6B(4), to the initial defence statement.”

37Continuing duty of disclosure by prosecutor

Before section 8 of the 1996 Act there is inserted—

“7AContinuing duty of prosecutor to disclose

(1)This section applies at all times—

(a)after the prosecutor has complied with section 3 or purported to comply with it, and

(b)before the accused is acquitted or convicted or the prosecutor decides not to proceed with the case concerned.

(2)The prosecutor must keep under review the question whether at any given time (and, in particular, following the giving of a defence statement) there is prosecution material which—

(a)might reasonably be considered capable of undermining the case for the prosecution against the accused or of assisting the case for the accused, and

(b)has not been disclosed to the accused.

(3)If at any time there is any such material as is mentioned in subsection (2) the prosecutor must disclose it to the accused as soon as is reasonably practicable (or within the period mentioned in subsection (5)(a), where that applies).

(4)In applying subsection (2) by reference to any given time the state of affairs at that time (including the case for the prosecution as it stands at that time) must be taken into account.

(5)Where the accused gives a defence statement under section 5, 6 or 6B—

(a)if as a result of that statement the prosecutor is required by this section to make any disclosure, or further disclosure, he must do so during the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for this section;

(b)if the prosecutor considers that he is not so required, he must during that period give to the accused a written statement to that effect.

(6)For the purposes of this section prosecution material is material—

(a)which is in the prosecutor’s possession and came into his possession in connection with the case for the prosecution against the accused, or

(b)which, in pursuance of a code operative under Part 2, he has inspected in connection with the case for the prosecution against the accused.

(7)Subsections (3) to (5) of section 3 (method by which prosecutor discloses) apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that.

(8)Material must not be disclosed under this section to the extent that the court, on an application by the prosecutor, concludes it is not in the public interest to disclose it and orders accordingly.

(9)Material must not be disclosed under this section to the extent that it is material the disclosure of which is prohibited by section 17 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23).”

38Application by defence for disclosure

In section 8 of the 1996 Act (application by accused for disclosure), for subsections (1) and (2) there is substituted—

“(1)This section applies where the accused has given a defence statement under section 5, 6 or 6B and the prosecutor has complied with section 7A(5) or has purported to comply with it or has failed to comply with it.

(2)If the accused has at any time reasonable cause to believe that there is prosecution material which is required by section 7A to be disclosed to him and has not been, he may apply to the court for an order requiring the prosecutor to disclose it to him.”

39Faults in defence disclosure

For section 11 of the 1996 Act there is substituted—

“11Faults in disclosure by accused

(1)This section applies in the three cases set out in subsections (2), (3) and (4).

(2)The first case is where section 5 applies and the accused—

(a)fails to give an initial defence statement,

(b)gives an initial defence statement but does so after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 5,

(c)is required by section 6B to give either an updated defence statement or a statement of the kind mentioned in subsection (4) of that section but fails to do so,

(d)gives an updated defence statement or a statement of the kind mentioned in section 6B(4) but does so after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 6B,

(e)sets out inconsistent defences in his defence statement, or

(f)at his trial—

(i)puts forward a defence which was not mentioned in his defence statement or is different from any defence set out in that statement,

(ii)relies on a matter which, in breach of the requirements imposed by or under section 6A, was not mentioned in his defence statement,

(iii)adduces evidence in support of an alibi without having given particulars of the alibi in his defence statement, or

(iv)calls a witness to give evidence in support of an alibi without having complied with section 6A(2)(a) or (b) as regards the witness in his defence statement.

(3)The second case is where section 6 applies, the accused gives an initial defence statement, and the accused—

(a)gives the initial defence statement after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 6, or

(b)does any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (c) to (f) of subsection (2).

(4)The third case is where the accused—

(a)gives a witness notice but does so after the end of the period which, by virtue of section 12, is the relevant period for section 6C, or

(b)at his trial calls a witness (other than himself) not included, or not adequately identified, in a witness notice.

(5)Where this section applies—

(a)the court or any other party may make such comment as appears appropriate;

(b)the court or jury may draw such inferences as appear proper in deciding whether the accused is guilty of the offence concerned.

(6)Where—

(a)this section applies by virtue of subsection (2)(f)(ii) (including that provision as it applies by virtue of subsection (3)(b)), and

(b)the matter which was not mentioned is a point of law (including any point as to the admissibility of evidence or an abuse of process) or an authority,

comment by another party under subsection (5)(a) may be made only with the leave of the court.

(7)Where this section applies by virtue of subsection (4), comment by another party under subsection (5)(a) may be made only with the leave of the court.

(8)Where the accused puts forward a defence which is different from any defence set out in his defence statement, in doing anything under subsection (5) or in deciding whether to do anything under it the court shall have regard—

(a)to the extent of the differences in the defences, and

(b)to whether there is any justification for it.

(9)Where the accused calls a witness whom he has failed to include, or to identify adequately, in a witness notice, in doing anything under subsection (5) or in deciding whether to do anything under it the court shall have regard to whether there is any justification for the failure.

(10)A person shall not be convicted of an offence solely on an inference drawn under subsection (5).

(11)Where the accused has given a statement of the kind mentioned in section 6B(4), then, for the purposes of subsections (2)(f)(ii) and (iv), the question as to whether there has been a breach of the requirements imposed by or under section 6A or a failure to comply with section 6A(2)(a) or (b) shall be determined—

(a)by reference to the state of affairs at the time when that statement was given, and

(b)as if the defence statement was given at the same time as that statement.

(12)In this section—

(a)“initial defence statement” means a defence statement given under section 5 or 6;

(b)“updated defence statement” means a defence statement given under section 6B;

(c)a reference simply to an accused’s “defence statement” is a reference—

(i)where he has given only an initial defence statement, to that statement;

(ii)where he has given both an initial and an updated defence statement, to the updated defence statement;

(iii)where he has given both an initial defence statement and a statement of the kind mentioned in section 6B(4), to the initial defence statement;

(d)a reference to evidence in support of an alibi shall be construed in accordance with section 6A(3);

(e)“witness notice” means a notice given under section 6C.”

40Code of practice for police interviews of witnesses notified by accused

In Part 1 of the 1996 Act after section 21 there is inserted—

“21ACode of practice for police interviews of witnesses notified by accused

(1)The Secretary of State shall prepare a code of practice which gives guidance to police officers, and other persons charged with the duty of investigating offences, in relation to the arranging and conducting of interviews of persons—

(a)particulars of whom are given in a defence statement in accordance with section 6A(2), or

(b)who are included as proposed witnesses in a notice given under section 6C.

(2)The code must include (in particular) guidance in relation to—

(a)information that should be provided to the interviewee and the accused in relation to such an interview;

(b)the notification of the accused’s solicitor of such an interview;

(c)the attendance of the interviewee’s solicitor at such an interview;

(d)the attendance of the accused’s solicitor at such an interview;

(e)the attendance of any other appropriate person at such an interview taking into account the interviewee’s age or any disability of the interviewee.

(3)Any police officer or other person charged with the duty of investigating offences who arranges or conducts such an interview shall have regard to the code.

(4)In preparing the code, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a)to the extent the code applies to England and Wales—

(i)any person who he considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police;

(ii)the General Council of the Bar;

(iii)the Law Society of England and Wales;

(iv)the Institute of Legal Executives;

(b)to the extent the code applies to Northern Ireland—

(i)the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

(ii)the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland;

(iii)the Law Society of Northern Ireland;

(c)such other persons as he thinks fit.

(5)The code shall not come into operation until the Secretary of State by order so provides.

(6)The Secretary of State may from time to time revise the code and subsections (4) and (5) shall apply to a revised code as they apply to the code as first prepared.

(7)An order bringing the code into operation may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before each House of Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.

(8)An order bringing a revised code into operation shall be laid before each House of Parliament if the order has been made without a draft having been so laid and approved by a resolution of each House.

(9)When an order or a draft of an order is laid in accordance with subsection (7) or (8), the code to which it relates shall also be laid.

(10)No order or draft of an order may be laid until the consultation required by subsection (4) has taken place.

(11)A failure by a person mentioned in subsection (3) to have regard to any provision of a code for the time being in operation by virtue of an order under this section shall not in itself render him liable to any criminal or civil proceedings.

(12)In all criminal and civil proceedings a code in operation at any time by virtue of an order under this section shall be admissible in evidence.

(13)If it appears to a court or tribunal conducting criminal or civil proceedings that—

(a)any provision of a code in operation at any time by virtue of an order under this section, or

(b)any failure mentioned in subsection (11),

is relevant to any question arising in the proceedings, the provision or failure shall be taken into account in deciding the question.”