This 1-hour webinar will demystify the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 (as amended) and the Criminal Practice Directions. It will clarify your understanding of the relationship between the Rules and the Directions. It will show how the Rules and the Directions are a ‘living document’ that require amendments to bring them into line with important judgements from the Court of Appeal (such as the case of Umerji) and important changes in legislation.
They are usually updated in the Spring and the Autumn of each year. They have been with us now since 2005 and they have brought about a ‘sea change’ in how criminal cases are to be dealt with. The Rules regulate the practice and procedure in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and, in limited circumstances, the High Court. There are 50 Rules in total and 6 of the more important ones will be examined:
1 – Rule 3 – Case management
2 – Rule 7 – Starting a prosecution in a Magistrates’ Court
3 – Rule 8 – Initial details of the prosecution case (IDPC)
4 – Rule 12 – Discontinuing a prosecution
5 – Rule 15 – Disclosure
6 – Rule 24 – Trial and Sentence in a Magistrates’ Court
This webinar will be hugely relevant for anyone involved in criminal law but particularly advocates – you may be advising clients in the Magistrates’ Court or in the Crown Court or you may be prosecuting in such Courts.