The Criminal Procedure Rules 2020

GENERAL RULESE+W

When this Part appliesE+W

3.1.—(1) Rules 3.1 to 3.15 apply to the management of each case in a magistrates’ court and in the Crown Court (including an appeal to the Crown Court) until the conclusion of that case.

[F1(2) Rules 3.16 to 3.18 apply where the case must be tried in a magistrates’ court, or the court orders trial there.]

(3) Rules 3.19 to 3.34 apply where―

(a)the defendant is sent to the Crown Court for trial;

(b)a High Court or Crown Court judge gives permission to serve a draft indictment; or

(c)the Court of Appeal orders a retrial.

[F2(4) Rules 3.35 to 3.39 apply where the court can give a live link direction.]

[Note. Rules that apply to procedure in the Court of Appeal are in Parts 36 to 42 of these Rules.

[F3At the first hearing in a magistrates’ court the court may (and in some cases must) order trial in that court, or may (and in some cases must) send the defendant to the Crown Court for trial under section 51 or 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998(1). See Part 9 (Allocation and sending for trial) for the procedure. The decision depends upon—

(a) the classification of the offence (and the general rule, subject to exceptions, is that an offence classified as triable only on indictment must be sent to the Crown Court for trial; an offence classified as triable only summarily must be tried in a magistrates’ court; and an offence classified as triable either way, on indictment or summarily, must be allocated to one or the other court for trial, subject to the defendant’s right to choose Crown Court trial: see in particular sections 50A, 51 and 51A of the 1998 Act(2) and section 19 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980(3));

(b) the defendant’s age (and the general rule, subject to exceptions, is that an offence alleged against a defendant under 18 must be tried in a magistrates’ court sitting as a youth court: see in particular sections 24 and 24A of the 1980 Act(4));

(c) whether the defendant is awaiting Crown Court trial for another offence;

(d) whether another defendant, charged with the same offence, is awaiting Crown Court trial for that offence;

(e) in some cases (destroying or damaging property; aggravated vehicle taking), whether the value involved is more or less than £5,000; and

(f) in a case of low-value shoplifting, whether the defendant chooses Crown Court trial: see section 22A of the 1980 Act(5).]

Under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013 and section 2 of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933, the Crown Court may give permission to serve a draft indictment where it approves a deferred prosecution agreement. See Part 11 for the rules about that procedure and Part 10 for the rules about indictments.

The procedure for applying for the permission of a High Court judge to serve a draft indictment is in rule 10.9 (Application to a High Court judge for permission to serve a draft indictment).

The Court of Appeal may order a retrial under section 8 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968(1) (on a defendant’s appeal against conviction) or under section 77 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003(2) (on a prosecutor’s application for the retrial of a serious offence after acquittal). Section 8 of the 1968 Act, section 84 of the 2003 Act and rules 27.6 and 39.14 require the arraignment of a defendant within 2 months.]

The duty of the courtE+W

3.2.—(1) The court must further the overriding objective by actively managing the case.

(2) Active case management includes―

(a)the early identification of the real issues;

(b)the early identification of the needs of witnesses;

(c)achieving certainty as to what must be done, by whom, and when, in particular by the early setting of a timetable for the progress of the case;

(d)monitoring the progress of the case and compliance with directions;

(e)ensuring that evidence, whether disputed or not, is presented in the shortest and clearest way;

(f)discouraging delay, dealing with as many aspects of the case as possible on the same occasion, and avoiding unnecessary hearings;

(g)encouraging the participants to co-operate in the progression of the case; and

(h)making use of technology.

(3) The court must actively manage the case by giving any direction appropriate to the needs of that case as early as possible.

[F4(4) Where appropriate live links are available, making use of technology for the purposes of this rule includes giving a live link direction for a person’s participation—

(a)under a power to which rule 3.35 applies (Live link direction: exercise of court’s powers); and

(b)whether an application for such a direction is made or not.]

[F5(5) At the first hearing in a case the court must require a defendant who is present―

(a)to provide―

(i)the defendant’s name and date of birth; and

(ii)at least one address at which documents may be served on the defendant under rule 4.4 (Service by leaving or posting a document), including any address at which the defendant resides, in order to facilitate effective communication between the court and the defendant; and

(b)further to assist communication between the court and the defendant, to provide any―

(i)electronic address by means of which written messages may be sent to the defendant, and

(ii)telephone number by means of which oral messages may be given to or left for the defendant.

(6) At any hearing after the first in a case the court may require a defendant who is present to provide or confirm the information required under paragraph (5).

(7) Information required under paragraph (5)(a) must be provided in public unless on an application under rule 6.4 (Reporting and access restrictions) the court otherwise directs.

(8) If the defendant fails to comply with a requirement to provide name and date of birth―

(a)the court that imposed the requirement―

(i)may invite the prosecutor there and then to start a prosecution in respect of that failure, in accordance with the rules in Part 7 (Starting a prosecution in a magistrates’ court),

(ii)must apply to any such prosecution the rules in Part 24 (Trial and sentence in a magistrates’ court), and

(iii)in any such prosecution may receive evidence from court staff but must not, as a general rule, receive evidence from the defendant’s legal representative (if any) or from a member of the court; and

(b)for the purposes of this paragraph the rules in Parts 7 and 24 apply in the Crown Court as well as in a magistrates’ court.]

[F6[Note. Under section 51 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the court may require or permit any person to take part through a live audio or video link in the pre-trial, trial, sentencing, enforcement and appeal proceedings listed in that section. Under section 52A of the Act, a person who takes part in accordance with a live link direction is to be treated as present in court.]

[F7Under section 86A of the Courts Act 2003, Criminal Procedure Rules must specify stages of proceedings at which the court must require the defendant to provide name and date of birth and may specify other stages of proceedings at which such a requirement may be imposed. Under section 86A(3) a person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, that person fails to comply with such a requirement, whether by providing false or incomplete information or by providing no information. Under section 86A(6) the court before which a person is required to provide that information may deal with any suspected such offence at the same time as dealing with the offence for which the person was already before the court.]]

The duty of the partiesE+W

3.3.—(1) Each party must―

(a)actively assist the court in fulfilling its duty under rule 3.2, without or if necessary with a direction; and

(b)apply for a direction if needed to further the overriding objective.

(2) Active assistance for the purposes of this rule includes―

(a)at the beginning of the case, communication between the prosecutor and the defendant at the first available opportunity and in any event no later than the beginning of the day of the first hearing;

(b)after that, communication between the parties and with the court officer until the conclusion of the case;

(c)by such communication establishing, among other things―

(i)whether the defendant is likely to plead guilty or not guilty,

(ii)what is agreed and what is likely to be disputed,

(iii)what information, or other material, is required by one party of another, and why, and

(iv)what is to be done, by whom, and when (without or if necessary with a direction);

(d)reporting on that communication to the court―

(i)at the first hearing, and

(ii)after that, as directed by the court; F8...

[F9(e)alerting the court to any reason why—

(i)a live link direction should not be given, or

(ii)such a direction should be varied or rescinded;]

[F10(f)alerting the court to any potential impediment to the defendant’s effective participation in the trial; F11...

[F12(g)alerting the court to any potential need for a witness to be accompanied while giving evidence, and in that event―

(i)identifying a proposed companion,

(ii)naming that person, if possible, and

(iii)explaining why that person would be an appropriate companion for the witness, including the witness’ own views; and]

[F13(h)alerting the court to any related family proceedings or anticipated such proceedings as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of them.]]

Case progression officers and their dutiesE+W

3.4.—(1) At the beginning of the case each party must, unless the court otherwise directs―

(a)nominate someone responsible for progressing that case; and

(b)tell other parties and the court who that is and how to contact that person.

(2) In fulfilling its duty under rule 3.2, the court must where appropriate―

(a)nominate a court officer responsible for progressing the case; and

(b)make sure the parties know who that is and how to contact that court officer.

(3) In this Part a person nominated under this rule is called a case progression officer.

(4) A case progression officer must―

(a)monitor compliance with directions;

(b)make sure that the court is kept informed of events that may affect the progress of that case;

(c)make sure that he or she can be contacted promptly about the case during ordinary business hours;

(d)act promptly and reasonably in response to communications about the case; and

(e)if he or she will be unavailable, appoint a substitute to fulfil his or her duties and inform the other case progression officers.

The court’s case management powersE+W

3.5.—(1) In fulfilling its duty under rule 3.2 the court may give any direction and take any step actively to manage a case unless that direction or step would be inconsistent with legislation, including these Rules.

(2) In particular, the court may―

(a)nominate a judge, magistrate or justices’ legal adviser to manage the case;

(b)give a direction on its own initiative or on application by a party;

(c)ask or allow a party to propose a direction;

[F14(d)receive applications, notices, representations and information by letter, by live link, by email or by any other means of electronic communication, and conduct a hearing by live link or other such electronic means;]

(e)give a direction―

(i)at a hearing, in public or in private, or

(ii)without a hearing;

(f)fix, postpone, bring forward, extend, cancel or adjourn a hearing;

(g)shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit fixed by a direction;

(h)require that issues in the case should be―

(i)identified in writing,

(ii)determined separately, and decide in what order they will be determined; F15...

(i)specify the consequences of failing to comply with a direction;

[F16(j)request information from a court dealing with family proceedings by―

(i)making the request itself, or

(ii)directing the court officer or a party to make the request on the criminal court’s behalf; and

(k)supply information to a court dealing with family proceedings as if [F17a request] had been made under rule 5.8(7) [F18(Request for information about a case)] by―

(i)supplying the information itself, or

(ii)directing the court officer or a party to supply that information on the criminal court’s behalf.]

(3) A magistrates’ court may give a direction that will apply in the Crown Court if the case is to continue there.

(4) The Crown Court may give a direction that will apply in a magistrates’ court if the case is to continue there.

(5) Any power to give a direction under this Part includes a power to vary or revoke that direction.

(6) If a party fails to comply with a rule or a direction, the court may—

(a)fix, postpone, bring forward, extend, cancel or adjourn a hearing;

(b)exercise its powers to make a costs order; and

(c)impose such other sanction as may be appropriate.

[F19(7) In deciding whether to postpone, cancel or adjourn a hearing the court must take into account—

(a)the likelihood that delay would be contrary to the court’s duty under rule 1.3 (The application by the court of the overriding objective);

(b)the court’s duty under rule 3.8 (Case preparation and progression);

(c)the availability of a substitute hearing date;

(d)the need for compelling reasons, and especially where an application to postpone, cancel or adjourn is made at or shortly before the hearing;

(e)the nature and gravity of any failure to comply with a rule or direction, or to take some other step, where that failure prompts the proposed postponement, cancellation or adjournment; and

(f)the evidence of unfitness to attend, where a participant’s ill-health prompts the proposed postponement, cancellation or adjournment, and in particular the extent to which any medical certificate satisfactorily—

(i)identifies the date of the participant’s examination,

(ii)describes the participant’s injury, illness or condition, the activity or activities which that ill-health impedes and the likely duration of that impediment, and

(iii)explains how that ill-health renders the participant unfit to attend the hearing.]

[Note. Depending upon the nature of a case and the stage that it has reached, its progress may be affected by other Criminal Procedure Rules and by other legislation. The note at the end of this Part lists other rules and legislation that may apply.

See also rule 3.8 (Case preparation and progression).

[F20The court may require expert evidence in support of an application to postpone, cancel or adjourn a hearing by reason of ill-health, in particular from the medical practitioner who provided a certificate in support of the application. See also Part 19 (Expert evidence).]

The court may make a costs order under—

(a)section 19 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985(3), where the court decides that one party to criminal proceedings has incurred costs as a result of an unnecessary or improper act or omission by, or on behalf of, another party;

(b)section 19A of that Act(4), where the court decides that a party has incurred costs as a result of an improper, unreasonable or negligent act or omission on the part of a legal representative;

(c)section 19B of that Act(5), where the court decides that there has been serious misconduct by a person who is not a party.

Under some other legislation, including Parts 19, 20 and 21 of these Rules, if a party fails to comply with a rule or a direction then in some circumstances—

(a)the court may refuse to allow that party to introduce evidence;

(b)evidence that that party wants to introduce may not be admissible;

(c)the court may draw adverse inferences from the late introduction of an issue or evidence.

See also—

(a)section 81(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984(6) and section 20(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996(7) (advance disclosure of expert evidence);

(b)section 11(5) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996(8) (faults in disclosure by accused);

(c)section 132(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003(9) (failure to give notice of hearsay evidence).]

Application to vary a directionE+W

3.6.—(1) A party may apply to vary a direction if―

(a)the court gave it without a hearing;

(b)the court gave it at a hearing in that party’s absence; or

(c)circumstances have changed.

(2) A party who applies to vary a direction must―

(a)apply as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the grounds for doing so; and

(b)give as much notice to the other parties as the nature and urgency of the application permits.

Agreement to vary a time limit fixed by a directionE+W

3.7.—(1) The parties may agree to vary a time limit fixed by a direction, but only if―

(a)the variation will not―

(i)affect the date of any hearing that has been fixed, or

(ii)significantly affect the progress of the case in any other way;

(b)the court has not prohibited variation by agreement; and

(c)the court’s case progression officer is promptly informed.

(2) The court’s case progression officer must refer the agreement to the court if in doubt that the condition in paragraph (1)(a) is satisfied.

Case preparation and progressionE+W

3.8.—(1) At every hearing, if a case cannot be concluded there and then the court must give directions so that it can be concluded at the next hearing or as soon as possible after that.

(2) At every hearing the court must, where relevant―

(a)if the defendant is absent, decide whether to proceed nonetheless;

(b)take the defendant’s plea (unless already done) or if no plea can be taken then find out whether the defendant is likely to plead guilty or not guilty;

(c)set, follow or revise a timetable for the progress of the case, which may include a timetable for any hearing including the trial or (in the Crown Court) the appeal;

(d)in giving directions, ensure continuity in relation to the court and to the parties’ representatives where that is appropriate and practicable; and

(e)where a direction has not been complied with, find out why, identify who was responsible, and take appropriate action.

(3) In order to prepare for the trial, the court must take every reasonable step―

(a)to encourage and to facilitate the attendance of witnesses when they are needed; and

(b)to facilitate the participation of any person, including the defendant.

(4) Facilitating the participation of the defendant includes finding out whether the defendant needs interpretation because―

(a)the defendant does not speak or understand English; or

(b)the defendant has a hearing or speech disorder.

(5) Where the defendant needs interpretation―

(a)the court officer must arrange for interpretation to be provided at every hearing which the defendant is due to attend;

(b)interpretation may be by an intermediary where the defendant has a speech disorder, without the need for a defendant’s evidence direction;

(c)on application or on its own initiative, the court may require a written translation to be provided for the defendant of any document or part of a document, unless―

(i)translation of that document, or part, is not needed to explain the case against the defendant, or

(ii)the defendant agrees to do without and the court is satisfied that the agreement is clear and voluntary and that the defendant has had legal advice or otherwise understands the consequences; and

(d)on application by the defendant, the court must give any direction which the court thinks appropriate, including a direction for interpretation by a different interpreter, where―

(i)no interpretation is provided,

(ii)no translation is ordered or provided in response to a previous application by the defendant, or

(iii)the defendant complains about the quality of interpretation or of any translation.

[F21(6) Facilitating the participation of any person includes―

(a)giving directions for someone to accompany a witness while the witness gives evidence, including directions about seating arrangements for that companion; and

(b)giving directions for the appropriate treatment and questioning of a witness or the defendant, especially where the court directs that such questioning is to be conducted through an intermediary.]

(7) Where directions for appropriate treatment and questioning are required, the court must―

(a)invite representations by the parties and by any intermediary; and

(b)set ground rules for the conduct of the questioning, which rules may include―

(i)a direction relieving a party of any duty to put that party’s case to a witness or a defendant in its entirety,

(ii)directions about the manner of questioning,

(iii)directions about the duration of questioning,

(iv)if necessary, directions about the questions that may or may not be asked,

(v)directions about the means by which any intermediary may intervene in questioning, if necessary,

(vi)where there is more than one defendant, the allocation among them of the topics about which a witness may be asked, and

(vii)directions about the use of models, plans, body maps or similar aids to help communicate a question or an answer.

[Note. Part 18 (Measures to assist a witness or defendant to give evidence) contains rules about an application for a defendant’s evidence direction under (among other provisions) sections 33BA and 33BB of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999(10).

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where a trial in a magistrates’ court will take place in Wales, a participant may use the Welsh language: see rule 3.18. Where a trial in the Crown Court will take place in Wales and a participant wishes to use the Welsh language, see rule 3.34.]

Ground rules hearingE+W

3.9.—(1) This rule applies where the court exercises the powers to which rule 3.8(6) and (7) apply (directions for appropriate treatment and questioning of a witness or defendant).

(2) At a pre-trial case management hearing convened for the purpose—

(a)the parties and any intermediary must—

(i)attend, unless the court otherwise directs, and

(ii)actively assist the court in setting ground rules and giving directions;

(b)the court must—

(i)discuss proposed ground rules and directions with the parties and any intermediary,

(ii)set ground rules for the conduct of questioning of the witness or defendant, as applicable, and

(iii)give such other directions as may be required to facilitate the effective participation of that witness or defendant; and

(c)despite rule 3.14(b) (court officer’s duty to make a record of directions), the court may require the parties—

(i)to make a record of those ground rules and directions, and

(ii)to serve that record on each other, on any intermediary and on the court officer.

(3) In setting such ground rules and giving such directions, the court must have regard to—

(a)any intermediary’s report;

(b)the parties’ representations; and

(c)such other information or advice as the court requires.

(4) The ground rules for questioning set by the court may include any listed in rule 3.8(7)(b).

(5) The directions given by the court may include any about—

(a)the timetable for the submission of proposed questions;

(b)the timetable for the trial, including the taking of breaks during proceedings;

(c)seating arrangements in the court room for the defendant, the defendant’s advocate and legal representative, any intermediary and any parent, guardian or other companion of the defendant; and

(d)any explanation to be given to the jury, if there is one, of—

(i)the witness’ or the defendant’s communication needs and behaviour, as applicable, and

(ii)the role of the intermediary, if there is one.

[Note. See also rule 3.16 (Pre-trial hearings in a magistrates’ court: general rules) and rule 3.21 (Pre-trial hearings in the Crown Court: general rules).]

Directions for commissioning medical reports, other than for sentencing purposesE+W

3.10.—(1) This rule applies where, because of a defendant’s suspected mental ill-health―

(a)a magistrates’ court requires expert medical opinion about the potential suitability of a hospital order under section 37(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983(11) (hospital order without convicting the defendant);

(b)the Crown Court requires expert medical opinion about the defendant’s fitness to participate at trial, under section 4 of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964(12); or

(c)a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court requires expert medical opinion to help the court determine a question of intent or insanity,

other than such opinion introduced by a party.

(2) A court may exercise the power to which this rule applies on its own initiative having regard to―

(a)an assessment of the defendant’s health by a mental health practitioner acting independently of the parties to assist the court;

(b)representations by a party; or

(c)observations by the court.

(3) A court that requires expert medical opinion to which this rule applies must―

(a)identify each issue in respect of which the court requires such opinion and any legislation applicable;

(b)specify the nature of the expertise likely to be required for giving such opinion;

(c)identify each party or participant by whom a commission for such opinion must be prepared, who may be―

(i)a party (or party’s representative) acting on that party’s own behalf,

(ii)a party (or party’s representative) acting on behalf of the court, or

(iii)the court officer acting on behalf of the court;

(d)where there are available to the court arrangements with the National Health Service under which an assessment of a defendant’s mental health may be prepared, give such directions as are needed under those arrangements for obtaining the expert report or reports required;

(e)where no such arrangements are available to the court, or they will not be used, give directions for the commissioning of an expert report or expert reports, including―

(i)such directions as can be made about supplying the expert or experts with the defendant’s medical records,

(ii)directions about the other information, about the defendant and about the offence or offences alleged to have been committed by the defendant, which is to be supplied to each expert, and

(iii)directions about the arrangements that will apply for the payment of each expert;

(f)set a timetable providing for—

(i)the date by which a commission is to be delivered to each expert,

(ii)the date by which any failure to accept a commission is to be reported to the court,

(iii)the date or dates by which progress in the preparation of a report or reports is to be reviewed by the court officer, and

(iv)the date by which each report commissioned is to be received by the court; and

(g)identify the person (each person, if more than one) to whom a copy of a report is to be supplied, and by whom.

(4) A commission addressed to an expert must—

(a)identify each issue in respect of which the court requires expert medical opinion and any legislation applicable;

(b)include—

(i)the information required by the court to be supplied to the expert,

(ii)details of the timetable set by the court, and

(iii)details of the arrangements that will apply for the payment of the expert;

(c)identify the person (each person, if more than one) to whom a copy of the expert’s report is to be supplied; and

(d)request confirmation that the expert from whom the opinion is sought—

(i)accepts the commission, and

(ii)will adhere to the timetable.

[Note. See also rule 28.8 (Directions for commissioning medical reports for sentencing purposes).

The court may request a medical examination of the defendant and a report under—

(a)section 4 of the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, under which the Crown Court may determine a defendant’s fitness to plead;

(b)section 35 of the Mental Health Act 1983(13), under which the court may order the defendant’s detention in hospital to obtain a medical report;

(c)section 36 of the 1983 Act(14), under which the Crown Court may order the defendant’s detention in hospital instead of in custody pending trial or sentence;

(d)section 37 of the 1983 Act(15), under which the court may order the defendant’s detention and treatment in hospital, or make a guardianship order, instead of disposing of the case in another way (section 37(3) allows a magistrates’ court to make such an order without convicting the defendant if satisfied that the defendant did the act or made the omission charged);

(e)section 38 of the 1983 Act(16), under which the court may order the defendant’s temporary detention and treatment in hospital instead of disposing of the case in another way;

(f)section 157 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003(17), under which the court must usually obtain and consider a medical report before passing a custodial sentence if the defendant is, or appears to be, mentally disordered;

(g)section 207 of the 2003 Act(18)(in the case of a defendant aged 18 or over), or section 1(1)(k) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008(19) (in the case of a defendant who is under 18), under which the court may impose a mental health treatment requirement.

For the purposes of the legislation listed in (a), (c), (d) and (e) above, the court requires the written or oral evidence of at least two registered medical practitioners, at least one of whom is approved as having special experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder. For the purposes of (b), (f) and (g), the court requires the evidence of one medical practitioner so approved.

Under section 11 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000(20), a magistrates’ court may adjourn a trial to obtain medical reports.

Part 19 (Expert evidence) contains rules about the content of expert medical reports.

For the authorities from whom the court may require information about hospital treatment or guardianship, see sections 39 and 39A of the 1983 Act(21).

The Practice Direction includes a timetable for the commissioning and preparation of a report or reports which the court may adopt with such adjustments as the court directs.

Payments to medical practitioners for reports and for giving evidence are governed by section 19(3) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985(22) and by the Costs in Criminal Cases (General) Regulations 1986(23), regulation 17 (Determination of rates or scales of allowances payable out of central funds), regulation 20 (Expert witnesses, etc.) and regulation 25 (Written medical reports). The rates and scales of allowances payable under those Regulations are determined by the Lord Chancellor.]

Hearing to inform the court of sensitive materialE+W

3.11.—(1) This rule applies where the prosecutor has, or is aware of, material—

(a)the revelation of which to the public or to the defendant the prosecutor thinks would give rise to a real risk of serious prejudice to an important public interest;

(b)to which the prosecutor does not think the obligation to disclose prosecution material applies, under Part I of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996; but

(c)of the existence of which the prosecutor thinks it necessary to inform the court to avoid—

(i)potential unfairness to the defendant in the conduct of the trial,

(ii)potential prejudice to the fair management of the trial, or

(iii)potential prejudice to that public interest.

(2) Such a prosecutor must―

(a)ask for a hearing so to inform the court; and

(b)notify the defendant of that request only to such extent, if any, and at such time, if at all, as the court directs.

(3) At or before the hearing the prosecutor must―

(a)explain—

(i)why the hearing is necessary, and

(ii)why it is necessary for the hearing to take place in the defendant’s absence;

(b)explain to what extent, if any, and when, if at all, the defendant should be informed―

(i)of the hearing, and

(ii)of the material of which the prosecutor wants to inform the court; and

(c)provide or describe the material to the court―

(i)only to the extent needed to achieve the purpose for which the hearing is convened, and

(ii)in such manner as the court directs.

(4) Unless the court otherwise directs―

(a)any such hearing―

(i)must be in private, and

(ii)must take place in the defendant’s absence;

(b)the court officer must not give notice to anyone other than the prosecutor of—

(i)the court’s decision on the request for a hearing,

(ii)the arrangements for any such hearing, and

(iii)any directions given at such a hearing; and

(c)the court officer may—

(i)keep any written representations or material received under this rule, or

(ii)arrange for the whole or any part to be kept by some other appropriate person, subject to any conditions that the court may impose.

Readiness for trial or appealE+W

3.12.—(1) This rule applies to a party’s preparation for trial or appeal, and in this rule and rule 3.13 ‘trial’ includes any hearing at which evidence will be introduced.

(2) In fulfilling the duty under rule 3.3, each party must―

(a)comply with directions given by the court;

(b)take every reasonable step to make sure that party’s witnesses will attend when they are needed;

(c)make appropriate arrangements to present any written or other material; and

(d)promptly inform the court and the other parties of anything that may―

(i)affect the date or duration of the trial or appeal, or

(ii)significantly affect the progress of the case in any other way.

(3) The court may require a party to give a certificate of readiness.

Conduct of a trial or an appealE+W

3.13.  In order to manage a trial or an appeal, the court—

(a)must establish, with the active assistance of the parties, what are the disputed issues;

(b)must consider setting a timetable that—

(i)takes account of those issues and of any timetable proposed by a party, and

(ii)may limit the duration of any stage of the hearing;

(c)may require a party to identify—

(i)which witnesses that party wants to give evidence in person,

(ii)the order in which that party wants those witnesses to give their evidence,

(iii)whether that party requires an order compelling the attendance of a witness,

(iv)what arrangements are desirable to facilitate the giving of evidence by a witness,

(v)what arrangements are desirable to facilitate the participation of any other person, including the defendant,

(vi)what written evidence that party intends to introduce,

(vii)what other material, if any, that person intends to make available to the court in the presentation of the case, and

(viii)whether that party intends to raise any point of law that could affect the conduct of the trial or appeal; and

(d)may limit—

(i)the examination, cross-examination or re-examination of a witness, and

(ii)the duration of any stage of the hearing.

[Note. See also rules 3.5 (The court’s case management powers) and 3.8 (Case preparation and progression).]

Duty of court officerE+W

3.14.  The court officer must—

(a)where a person is entitled or required to attend a hearing, give as much notice as reasonably practicable to―

(i)that person, and

(ii)that person’s custodian (if any); and

(b)where the court gives directions, promptly make a record available to the parties.

[F23[Note. See also rule 5.9 (Request for information by a party or person directly affected by a case).]]

Court’s power to vary requirements under this PartE+W

3.15.—(1) The court may—

(a)shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit set by this Part; and

(b)allow an application or representations to be made orally.

(2) A person who wants an extension of time must—

(a)apply when serving the application or representations for which it is needed; and

(b)explain the delay.