Criminal Litigation

New provisions are added to the Criminal Procedure Rules (from April 2008).

• In Pt 3 (case management): a new r 3.5(6) setting out the sanctions a court may impose for failure to comply with a procedure rule or a procedural direction; a new r 3.8(2) that requires the crown court to conduct a plea and case management hearing unless that is unnecessary and; a new r 3.10, in substitution for the existing rule, that requires the court to establish the issues the parties intend to explore at the trial or at the appeal.

• A new Pt 50 (civil behaviour orders after verdict or finding), prescribing the procedure for applying in criminal cases for anti-social behaviour orders or other civil behaviour orders.

• A new Pt 74 (Appeal or reference to the House of Lords), prescribing the procedure for applying to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal, or to refer a case, to the House of Lords.