The Criminal Procedure Rules 2012
- (1) This rule applies where the Crown Court appoints a receiver under section 48 or 50 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the receiver is not a person falling within section 55(8) of the 2002 Act (and it is immaterial whether the receiver is a permanent or temporary member of staff or on secondment from elsewhere).
- (2) The receiver may only charge for his services if the Crown Court—
- (a) so directs; and
- (b) specifies the basis on which the receiver is to be remunerated.
- (3) Unless the Crown Court orders otherwise, in determining the remuneration of the receiver, the Crown Court shall award such sum as is reasonable and proportionate in all the circumstances and which takes into account—
- (a) the time properly given by him and his staff to the receivership;
- (b) the complexity of the receivership;
- (c) any responsibility of an exceptional kind or degree which falls on the receiver in consequence of the receivership;
- (d) the effectiveness with which the receiver appears to be carrying out, or to have carried out, his duties; and
- (e) the value and nature of the subject matter of the receivership.
- (4) The Crown Court may refer the determination of a receiver’s remuneration to be ascertained by the taxing authority of the Crown Court and rules 76.11 to 76.14 shall have effect as if the taxing authority was ascertaining costs.
- (5) A receiver appointed under section 48 of the 2002 Act is to receive his remuneration by realising property in respect of which he is appointed, in accordance with section 49(2)(d) of the 2002 Act.
- (6) A receiver appointed under section 50 of the 2002 Act is to receive his remuneration by applying to the magistrates’ court officer for payment under section 55(4)(b) of the 2002 Act[^f00648].
Accounts
60.7
- (1) The Crown Court may order a receiver appointed under section 48 or 50 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to prepare and serve accounts.
- (2) A party to receivership proceedings served with such accounts may apply for an order permitting him to inspect any document in the possession of the receiver relevant to those accounts.
- (3) Any party to receivership proceedings may, within 14 days of being served with the accounts, serve notice on the receiver—
- (a) specifying any item in the accounts to which he objects;
- (b) giving the reason for such objection; and
- (c) requiring the receiver within 14 days of receipt of the notice, either—
- (i) to notify all the parties who were served with the accounts that he accepts the objection, or
- (ii) if he does not accept the objection, to apply for an examination of the accounts in relation to the contested item.
- (4) When the receiver applies for the examination of the accounts he must at the same time lodge with the Crown Court—
- (a) the accounts; and
- (b) a copy of the notice served on him under this section of the rule.
- (5) If the receiver fails to comply with paragraph (3)(c) of this rule, any party to receivership proceedings may apply to the Crown Court for an examination of the accounts in relation to the contested item.
- (6) At the conclusion of its examination of the accounts the court will certify the result.
Non-compliance by receiver
60.8
- (1) If a receiver appointed under section 48 or 50 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 fails to comply with any rule, practice direction or direction of the Crown Court, the Crown Court may order him to attend a hearing to explain his non-compliance.
- (2) At the hearing, the Crown Court may make any order it considers appropriate, including—
- (a) terminating the appointment of the receiver;
- (b) reducing the receiver’s remuneration or disallowing it altogether; and
- (c) ordering the receiver to pay the costs of any party.
PART 61 — PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002: RULES APPLICABLE TO RESTRAINT AND RECEIVERSHIP PROCEEDINGS
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| Distress and forfeiture | rule 61.1 |
| Joining of applications | rule 61.2 |
| Applications to be dealt with in writing | rule 61.3 |
| Business in chambers | rule 61.4 |
| Power of court to control evidence | rule 61.5 |
| Evidence of witnesses | rule 61.6 |
| Witness summons | rule 61.7 |
| Hearsay evidence | rule 61.8 |
| Disclosure and inspection of documents | rule 61.9 |
| Court documents | rule 61.10 |
| Consent orders | rule 61.11 |
| Slips and omissions | rule 61.12 |
| Supply of documents from court records | rule 61.13 |
| Disclosure of documents in criminal proceedings | rule 61.14 |
| Preparation of documents | rule 61.15 |
| Change of solicitor | rule 61.16 |
| Application by solicitor for declaration that | |
| solicitor has ceased to act | rule 61.17 |
| Application by other party for declaration that | |
| solicitor has ceased to act | rule 61.18 |
| Order for costs | rule 61.19 |
| Assessment of costs | rule 61.20 |
| Time for complying with an order for costs | rule 61.21 |
| Application of costs rules | rule 61.22 |
Distress and forfeiture
61.1
- (1) This rule applies to applications under sections 58(2) and (3) and 59(2) and (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002[^f00649] for leave of the Crown Court to levy distress against property or exercise a right of forfeiture by peaceable re-entry in relation to a tenancy, in circumstances where the property or tenancy is the subject of a restraint order or a receiver has been appointed in respect of the property or tenancy.
- (2) The application must be made in writing to the Crown Court.
- (3) The application must be served on—
- (a) the person who applied for the restraint order or the order appointing the receiver; and
- (b) any receiver appointed in respect of the property or tenancy,
at least seven days before the date fixed by the court for hearing the application, unless the Crown Court specifies a shorter period.
Joining of applications
61.2
An application for the appointment of a management receiver or enforcement receiver under rule 60.1 may be joined with—
- (a) an application for a restraint order under rule 59.1; and
- (b) an application for the conferral of powers on the receiver under rule 60.2.
Applications to be dealt with in writing
61.3
Applications in restraint proceedings and receivership proceedings are to be dealt with without a hearing, unless the Crown Court orders otherwise.
Business in chambers
61.4
Restraint proceedings and receivership proceedings may be heard in chambers.
Power of court to control evidence
61.5
- (1) When hearing restraint proceedings and receivership proceedings, the Crown Court may control the evidence by giving directions as to—
- (a) the issues on which it requires evidence;
- (b) the nature of the evidence which it requires to decide those issues; and
- (c) the way in which the evidence is to be placed before the court.
- (2) The court may use its power under this rule to exclude evidence that would otherwise be admissible.
- (3) The court may limit cross-examination in restraint proceedings and receivership proceedings.
Evidence of witnesses
61.6
- (1) The general rule is that, unless the Crown Court orders otherwise, any fact which needs to be proved in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings by the evidence of a witness is to be proved by their evidence in writing.
- (2) Where evidence is to be given in writing under this rule, any party may apply to the Crown Court for permission to cross-examine the person giving the evidence.
- (3) If the Crown Court gives permission under paragraph (2) but the person in question does not attend as required by the order, his evidence may not be used unless the court gives permission.
Witness summons
61.7
- (1) Any party to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings may apply to the Crown Court to issue a witness summons requiring a witness to—
- (a) attend court to give evidence; or
- (b) produce documents to the court.
- (2) Rule 28.3 applies to an application under this rule as it applies to an application under section 2 of the Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965[^f00650].
Hearsay evidence
61.8
Section 2(1) of the Civil Evidence Act 1995[^f00651] (duty to give notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence) does not apply to evidence in restraint proceedings and receivership proceedings.
Disclosure and inspection of documents
61.9
- (1) This rule applies where, in the course of restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings, an issue arises as to whether property is realisable property.
- (2) The Crown Court may make an order for disclosure of documents.
- (3) Part 31 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998[^f00652] as amended from time to time shall have effect as if the proceedings were proceedings in the High Court.
Court documents
61.10
- (1) Any order which the Crown Court issues in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings must—
- (a) state the name and judicial title of the person who made it;
- (b) bear the date on which it is made; and
- (c) be sealed by the Crown Court.
- (2) The Crown Court may place the seal on the order—
- (a) by hand; or
- (b) by printing a facsimile of the seal on the order whether electronically or otherwise.
- (3) A document purporting to bear the court’s seal shall be admissible in evidence without further proof.
Consent orders
61.11
- (1) This rule applies where all the parties to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings agree the terms in which an order should be made.
- (2) Any party may apply for a judgment or order in the terms agreed.
- (3) The Crown Court may deal with an application under paragraph (2) without a hearing.
- (4) Where this rule applies—
- (a) the order which is agreed by the parties must be drawn up in the terms agreed;
- (b) it must be expressed as being ‘By Consent’; and
- (c) it must be signed by the legal representative acting for each of the parties to whom the order relates or by the party if he is a litigant in person.
- (5) Where an application is made under this rule, then the requirements of any other rule as to the procedure for making an application do not apply.
Slips and omissions
61.12
- (1) The Crown Court may at any time correct an accidental slip or omission in an order made in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings.
- (2) A party may apply for a correction without notice.
Supply of documents from court records
61.13
- (1) No document relating to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings may be supplied from the records of the Crown Court for any person to inspect or copy unless the Crown Court grants permission.
- (2) An application for permission under paragraph (1) must be made on notice to the parties to the proceedings.
Disclosure of documents in criminal proceedings
61.14
- (1) This rule applies where—
- (a) proceedings for an offence have been started in the Crown Court and the defendant has not been either convicted or acquitted on all counts; and
- (b) an application for a restraint order under section 42(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has been made.
- (2) The judge presiding at the proceedings for the offence may be supplied from the records of the Crown Court with documents relating to restraint proceedings and any receivership proceedings.
- (3) Such documents must not otherwise be disclosed in the proceedings for the offence.
Preparation of documents
61.15
- (1) Every order in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings will be drawn up by the Crown Court unless—
- (a) the Crown Court orders a party to draw it up;
- (b) a party, with the permission of the Crown Court, agrees to draw it up; or
- (c) the order is made by consent under rule 61.10.
- (2) The Crown Court may direct that—
- (a) an order drawn up by a party must be checked by the Crown Court before it is sealed; or
- (b) before an order is drawn up by the Crown Court, the parties must lodge an agreed statement of its terms.
- (3) Where an order is to be drawn up by a party—
- (a) he must lodge it with the Crown Court no later than seven days after the date on which the court ordered or permitted him to draw it up so that it can be sealed by the Crown Court; and
- (b) if he fails to lodge it within that period, any other party may draw it up and lodge it.
- (4) Nothing in this rule shall require the Crown Court to accept a document which is illegible, has not been duly authorised, or is unsatisfactory for some other similar reason.
Change of solicitor
61.16
- (1) This rule applies where—
- (a) a party for whom a solicitor is acting in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings wants to change his solicitor;
- (b) a party, after having represented himself in such proceedings, appoints a solicitor to act on his behalf (except where the solicitor is appointed only to act as an advocate for a hearing); or
- (c) a party, after having been represented by a solicitor in such proceedings, intends to act in person.
- (2) Where this rule applies, the party or his solicitor (where one is acting) must—
- (a) lodge notice of the change at the Crown Court; and
- (b) serve notice of the change on every other party and, where paragraph (1)(a) or (c) applies, on the former solicitor.
- (3) The notice lodged at the Crown Court must state that notice has been served as required by paragraph (2)(b).
- (4) Subject to paragraph (5), where a party has changed his solicitor or intends to act in person, the former solicitor will be considered to be the party’s solicitor unless and until—
- (a) notice is served in accordance with paragraph (2); or
- (b) the Crown Court makes an order under rule 61.17 and the order is served as required by paragraph (3) of that rule.
- (5) Where the certificate of a LSC funded client is revoked or discharged—
- (a) the solicitor who acted for that person will cease to be the solicitor acting in the proceedings as soon as his retainer is determined under regulation 4 of The Community Legal Service (Costs) Regulations 2000[^f00653]; and
- (b) if that person wishes to continue, where he appoints a solicitor to act on his behalf paragraph (2) will apply as if he had previously represented himself in the proceedings.
- (6) ‘Certificate’ in paragraph (5) means a certificate issued under the Funding Code (approved under section 9 of the Access to Justice Act 1999[^f00654]) and ‘LSC funded client’ means an individual who receives services funded by the Legal Services Commission as part of the Community Legal Service within the meaning of Part I of the 1999 Act.
Application by solicitor for declaration that solicitor has ceased to act
61.17
- (1) A solicitor may apply to the Crown Court for an order declaring that he has ceased to be the solicitor acting for a party to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings.
- (2) Where an application is made under this rule—
- (a) notice of the application must be given to the party for whom the solicitor is acting, unless the Crown Court directs otherwise; and
- (b) the application must be supported by evidence.
- (3) Where the Crown Court makes an order that a solicitor has ceased to act, the solicitor must serve a copy of the order on every party to the proceedings.
Application by other party for declaration that solicitor has ceased to act
61.18
- (1) Where—
- (a) a solicitor who has acted for a party to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings—
- (i) has died,
- (ii) has become bankrupt,
- (iii) has ceased to practise, or
- (iv) cannot be found, and
- (b) the party has not given notice of a change of solicitor or notice of intention to act in person as required by rule 61.16,
any other party may apply to the Crown Court for an order declaring that the solicitor has ceased to be the solicitor acting for the other party in the proceedings.
- (2) Where an application is made under this rule, notice of the application must be given to the party to whose solicitor the application relates unless the Crown Court directs otherwise.
- (3) Where the Crown Court makes an order under this rule, the applicant must serve a copy of the order on every other party to the proceedings.
Order for costs
61.19
- (1) This rule applies where the Crown Court is deciding whether to make an order for costs in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings.
- (2) The court has discretion as to—
- (a) whether costs are payable by one party to another;
- (b) the amount of those costs; and
- (c) when they are to be paid.
- (3) If the court decides to make an order about costs—
- (a) the general rule is that the unsuccessful party will be ordered to pay the costs of the successful party; but
- (b) the court may make a different order.
- (4) In deciding what order (if any) to make about costs, the court must have regard to all of the circumstances, including—
- (a) the conduct of all the parties; and
- (b) whether a party has succeeded on part of an application, even if he has not been wholly successful.
- (5) The orders which the court may make include an order that a party must pay—
- (a) a proportion of another party’s costs;
- (b) a stated amount in respect of another party’s costs;
- (c) costs from or until a certain date only;
- (d) costs incurred before proceedings have begun;
- (e) costs relating to particular steps taken in the proceedings;
- (f) costs relating only to a distinct part of the proceedings; and
- (g) interest on costs from or until a certain date, including a date before the making of an order.
- (6) Where the court would otherwise consider making an order under paragraph (5)(f), it must instead, if practicable, make an order under paragraph (5)(a) or (c).
- (7) Where the court has ordered a party to pay costs, it may order an amount to be paid on account before the costs are assessed.
[Note. See section 52 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00655].]
Assessment of costs
61.20
- (1) Where the Crown Court has made an order for costs in restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings it may either—
- (a) make an assessment of the costs itself; or
- (b) order assessment of the costs under rule 76.11.
- (2) In either case, the Crown Court or the assessing authority, as the case may be, must—
- (a) only allow costs which are proportionate to the matters in issue; and
- (b) resolve any doubt which it may have as to whether the costs were reasonably incurred or reasonable and proportionate in favour of the paying party.
- (3) The Crown Court or the assessing authority, as the case may be, is to have regard to all the circumstances in deciding whether costs were proportionately or reasonably incurred or proportionate and reasonable in amount.
- (4) In particular, the Crown Court or the assessing authority must give effect to any orders which have already been made.
- (5) The Crown Court or the assessing authority must also have regard to—
- (a) the conduct of all the parties, including in particular, conduct before, as well as during, the proceedings;
- (b) the amount or value of the property involved;
- (c) the importance of the matter to all the parties;
- (d) the particular complexity of the matter or the difficulty or novelty of the questions raised;
- (e) the skill, effort, specialised knowledge and responsibility involved;
- (f) the time spent on the application; and
- (g) the place where and the circumstances in which work or any part of it was done.
Time for complying with an order for costs
61.21
A party to restraint proceedings or receivership proceedings must comply with an order for the payment of costs within 14 days of—
- (a) the date of the order if it states the amount of those costs;
- (b) if the amount of those costs is decided later under rule 76.11, the date of the assessing authority’s decision; or
- (c) in either case, such later date as the Crown Court may specify.
Application of costs rules
61.22
Rules 61.19, 61.20 and 61.21 do not apply to the assessment of costs in proceedings to the extent that section 11 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 applies and provisions made under that Act make different provision.
PART 62 — CONTEMPT OF COURT
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| Section 1: general rules | |
| When this Part applies | rule 62.1 |
| Exercise of court’s power to deal with contempt of court | rule 62.2 |
| Notice of suspension of imprisonment by Court of Appeal or Crown Court | rule 62.3 |
| Application to discharge an order for imprisonment | rule 62.4 |
| Section 2: contempt of court by obstruction, disruption, etc. | |
| Initial procedure on obstruction, disruption, etc. | rule 62.5 |
| Review after temporary detention | rule 62.6 |
| Postponement of enquiry | rule 62.7 |
| Procedure on enquiry | rule 62.8 |
| Section 3: contempt of court by failure to comply with court order, etc. | |
| Initial procedure on failure to comply with court order, etc. | rule 62.9 |
| Procedure on hearing | rule 62.10 |
| Introduction of written witness statement or other hearsay | rule 62.11 |
| Content of written witness statement | rule 62.12 |
| Content of notice of other hearsay | rule 62.13 |
| Cross-examination of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay | rule 62.14 |
| Credibility and consistency of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay | rule 62.15 |
| Magistrates’ courts’ powers to adjourn, etc. | rule 62.16 |
| Court’s power to vary requirements under Section 3 | rule 62.17 |
SECTION 1: GENERAL RULES
When this Part applies
62.1
- (1) This Part applies where the court can deal with a person for conduct—
- (a) in contempt of court; or
- (b) in contravention of the legislation to which rules 62.5 and 62.9 refer.
- (2) In this Part, ‘respondent’ means any such person.
[Note. For the court’s powers to punish for contempt of court, see the notes to rules 62.5 and 62.9.]
Exercise of court’s power to deal with contempt of court
62.2
- (1) The court must determine at a hearing—
- (a) an enquiry under rule 62.8;
- (b) an allegation under rule 62.9.
- (2) The court must not proceed in the respondent’s absence unless—
- (a) the respondent’s behaviour makes it impracticable to proceed otherwise; or
- (b) the respondent has had at least 14 days’ notice of the hearing, or was present when it was arranged.
- (3) If the court hears part of an enquiry or allegation in private, it must announce at a hearing in public—
- (a) the respondent’s name;
- (b) in general terms, the nature of any conduct that the respondent admits, or the court finds proved; and
- (c) any punishment imposed.
Notice of suspension of imprisonment by Court of Appeal or Crown Court
62.3
- (1) This rule applies where—
- (a) the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court suspends an order of imprisonment for contempt of court; and
- (b) the respondent is absent when the court does so.
- (2) The respondent must be served with notice of the terms of the court’s order—
- (a) by any applicant under rule 62.9; or
- (b) by the court officer, in any other case.
[Note. By reason of sections 15 and 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00656], the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court each has an inherent power to suspend imprisonment for contempt of court, on conditions, or for a period, or both.]
Application to discharge an order for imprisonment
62.4
- (1) This rule applies where the court can discharge an order for a respondent’s imprisonment for contempt of court.
- (2) A respondent who wants the court to discharge such an order must—
- (a) apply in writing, unless the court otherwise directs, and serve any written application on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) any applicant under rule 62.9 on whose application the respondent was imprisoned;
- (b) in the application—
- (i) explain why it is appropriate for the order for imprisonment to be discharged, and
- (ii) give details of any appeal, and its outcome; and
- (c) ask for a hearing, if the respondent wants one.
[Note. By reason of sections 15 and 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court each has an inherent power to discharge an order for a respondent’s imprisonment for contempt of court in failing to comply with a court order.
SECTION 2: CONTEMPT OF COURT BY OBSTRUCTION, DISRUPTION, ETC.
Initial procedure on obstruction, disruption, etc.
62.5
- (1) This rule applies where the court observes, or someone reports to the court—
- (a) in the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court, obstructive, disruptive, insulting or intimidating conduct, in the courtroom or in its vicinity, or otherwise immediately affecting the proceedings;
- (b) in the Crown Court, a contravention of—
- (i) section 3 of the Criminal Procedure (Attendance of Witnesses) Act 1965[^f00659] (disobeying a witness summons);
- (ii) section 20 of the Juries Act 1974[^f00660] (disobeying a jury summons);
- (iii) section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00661] (obtaining details of a jury’s deliberations, etc.);
- (c) in a magistrates’ court, a contravention of—
- (i) section 97(4) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (refusing to give evidence), or
- (ii) section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00662] (insulting or interrupting the court, etc.);
- (d) a contravention of section 9 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00663] (without the court’s permission, recording the proceedings, etc.);
- (e) any other conduct with which the court can deal as, or as if it were, a criminal contempt of court, except failure to surrender to bail under section 6 of the Bail Act 1976[^f00664].
- (2) Unless the respondent’s behaviour makes it impracticable to do so, the court must—
- (a) explain, in terms the respondent can understand (with help, if necessary)—
- (i) the conduct that is in question,
- (ii) that the court can impose imprisonment, or a fine, or both, for such conduct,
- (iii) (where relevant) that the court has power to order the respondent’s immediate temporary detention, if in the court’s opinion that is required,
- (iv) that the respondent may explain the conduct,
- (v) that the respondent may apologise, if he or she so wishes, and that this may persuade the court to take no further action, and
- (vi) that the respondent may take legal advice; and
- (b) allow the respondent a reasonable opportunity to reflect, take advice, explain and, if he or she so wishes, apologise.
- (3) The court may then—
- (a) take no further action in respect of that conduct;
- (b) enquire into the conduct there and then; or
- (c) postpone that enquiry (if a magistrates’ court, only until later the same day).
[Note. By reason of sections 15 and 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court each has an inherent powerto imprison (for a maximum of 2 years), or fine (to an unlimited amount), or both, a respondent for contempt of court for the conduct listed in paragraph (1)(a), (b), (d) or (e). See also section 14 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00665].
Review after temporary detention
62.6
- (1) This rule applies in a case in which the court has ordered the respondent’s immediate temporary detention for conduct to which rule 62.5 applies.
- (2) The court must review the case—
- (a) if a magistrates’ court, later the same day;
- (b) if the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court, no later than the next business day.
- (3) On the review, the court must—
- (a) unless the respondent is absent, repeat the explanations required by rule 62.5(2)(a); and
- (b) allow the respondent a reasonable opportunity to reflect, take advice, explain and, if he or she so wishes, apologise.
- (4) The court may then—
- (a) take no further action in respect of the conduct;
- (b) if a magistrates’ court, enquire into the conduct there and then; or
- (c) if the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court—
- (i) enquire into the conduct there and then, or
- (ii) postpone the enquiry, and order the respondent’s release from such detention in the meantime.
Postponement of enquiry
62.7
- (1) This rule applies where the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court postpones the enquiry.
- (2) The court must arrange for the preparation of a written statement containing such particulars of the conduct in question as to make clear what the respondent appears to have done.
- (3) The court officer must serve on the respondent—
- (a) that written statement;
- (b) notice of where and when the postponed enquiry will take place; and
- (c) a notice that—
- (i) reminds the respondent that the court can impose imprisonment, or a fine, or both, for contempt of court, and
- (ii) warns the respondent that the court may pursue the postponed enquiry in the respondent’s absence, if the respondent does not attend.
Procedure on enquiry
62.8
- (1) At an enquiry, the court must—
- (a) ensure that the respondent understands (with help, if necessary) what is alleged, if the enquiry has been postponed from a previous occasion;
- (b) explain what the procedure at the enquiry will be; and
- (c) ask whether the respondent admits the conduct in question.
- (2) If the respondent admits the conduct, the court need not receive evidence.
- (3) If the respondent does not admit the conduct, the court will receive—
- (a) any statement served under rule 62.7;
- (b) any other evidence of the conduct;
- (c) any evidence introduced by the respondent; and
- (d) any representations by the respondent about the conduct.
- (4) If the respondent admits the conduct, or the court finds it proved, the court must—
- (a) before imposing any punishment for contempt of court, give the respondent an opportunity to make representations relevant to punishment;
- (b) explain, in terms the respondent can understand (with help, if necessary)—
- (i) the reasons for its decision, including its findings of fact, and
- (ii) the punishment it imposes, and its effect; and
- (c) if a magistrates’ court, arrange for the preparation of a written record of those findings.
- (5) The court that conducts an enquiry—
- (a) need not include the same member or members as the court that observed the conduct; but
- (b) may do so, unless that would be unfair to the respondent.
SECTION 3: CONTEMPT OF COURT BY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COURT ORDER, ETC.
Initial procedure on failure to comply with court order, etc.
62.9
- (1) This rule applies where—
- (a) a party, or other person directly affected, alleges—
- (i) in the Crown Court, a failure to comply with an order to which rule 6.13 or 6.22 (certain investigation orders), or 59.6 (restraint order or ancillary order), applies,
- (ii) in the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court, any other conduct with which that court can deal as a civil contempt of court, or
- (iii) in the Crown Court or a magistrates’ court, unauthorised use of disclosed prosecution material under section 17 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996[^f00672];
- (b) the court deals on its own initiative with conduct to which paragraph (1)(a) applies.
- (2) Such a party or person must—
- (a) apply in writing and serve the application on the court officer; and
- (b) serve on the respondent—
- (i) the application, and
- (ii) notice of where and when the court will consider the allegation (not less than 14 days after service).
- (3) The application must—
- (a) identify the respondent;
- (b) explain that it is an application for the respondent to be dealt with for contempt of court;
- (c) contain such particulars of the conduct in question as to make clear what is alleged against the respondent; and
- (d) include a notice warning the respondent that the court—
- (i) can impose imprisonment, or a fine, or both, for contempt of court, and
- (ii) may deal with the application in the respondent’s absence, if the respondent does not attend the hearing.
- (4) A court which acts on its own initiative under paragraph (1)(b) must—
- (a) arrange for the preparation of a written statement containing the same information as an application; and
- (b) arrange for the service on the respondent of—
- (i) that written statement, and
- (ii) notice of where and when the court will consider the allegation (not less than 14 days after service).
[Note. By reason of section 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00673], the Crown Court has an inherent power to imprison (for a maximum of 2 years), or fine (to an unlimited amount), or both, a respondent for conduct in contempt of court by failing to comply with a court order or an undertaking given to the court.
Procedure on hearing
62.10
- (1) At the hearing of an allegation under rule 62.9, the court must—
- (a) ensure that the respondent understands (with help, if necessary) what is alleged;
- (b) explain what the procedure at the hearing will be; and
- (c) ask whether the respondent admits the conduct in question.
- (2) If the respondent admits the conduct, the court need not receive evidence.
- (3) If the respondent does not admit the conduct, the court will receive—
- (a) the application or written statement served under rule 62.9;
- (b) any other evidence of the conduct;
- (c) any evidence introduced by the respondent; and
- (d) any representations by the respondent about the conduct.
- (4) If the respondent admits the conduct, or the court finds it proved, the court must—
- (a) before imposing any punishment for contempt of court, give the respondent an opportunity to make representations relevant to punishment;
- (b) explain, in terms the respondent can understand (with help, if necessary)—
- (i) the reasons for its decision, including its findings of fact, and
- (ii) the punishment it imposes, and its effect; and
- (c) in a magistrates’ court, arrange for the preparation of a written record of those findings.
Introduction of written witness statement or other hearsay
62.11
- (1) Where rule 62.9 applies, an applicant or respondent who wants to introduce in evidence the written statement of a witness, or other hearsay, must—
- (a) serve a copy of the statement, or notice of other hearsay, on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) the other party; and
- (b) serve the copy or notice—
- (i) when serving the application under rule 62.9, in the case of an applicant, or
- (ii) not more than 7 days after service of that application or of the court’s written statement, in the case of the respondent.
- (2) Such service is notice of that party’s intention to introduce in evidence that written witness statement, or other hearsay, unless that party otherwise indicates when serving it.
- (3) A party entitled to receive such notice may waive that entitlement.
[Note. On an application under rule 62.9, hearsay evidence is admissible under the Civil Evidence Act 1995. Section 1(2) of the 1995 Act[^f00675]defines hearsay as meaning ‘a statement made otherwise than by a person while giving oral evidence in the proceedings which is tendered as evidence of the matters stated’. Section 13 of the Act[^f00676]defines a statement as meaning ‘any representation of fact or opinion, however made’.
Content of written witness statement
62.12
- (1) This rule applies to a written witness statement served under rule 62.11.
- (2) Such a written witness statement must contain a declaration by the person making it that it is true to the best of that person’s knowledge and belief.
[Note. By reason of sections 15 and 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00678], the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court each has an inherent power to imprison (for a maximum of 2 years), or fine (to an unlimited amount), or both, for contempt of court a person who, in a written witness statement to which this rule applies, makes, or causes to be made, a false statement without an honest belief in its truth. See also section 14 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00679].]
Content of notice of other hearsay
62.13
- (1) This rule applies to a notice of hearsay, other than a written witness statement, served under rule 62.11.
- (2) Such a notice must—
- (a) set out the evidence, or attach the document that contains it; and
- (b) identify the person who made the statement that is hearsay.
Cross-examination of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay
62.14
- (1) This rule applies where a party wants the court’s permission to cross-examine a person who made a statement which another party wants to introduce as hearsay.
- (2) The party who wants to cross-examine that person must—
- (a) apply in writing, with reasons; and
- (b) serve the application on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) the party who served the hearsay.
- (3) A respondent who wants to cross-examine such a person must apply to do so not more than 7days after service of the hearsay by the applicant.
- (4) An applicant who wants to cross-examine such a person must apply to do so not more than 3days after service of the hearsay by the respondent.
- (5) The court—
- (a) may decide an application under this rule without a hearing; but
- (b) must not dismiss such an application unless the person making it has had an opportunity to make representations at a hearing.
[Note. See also section 3 of the Civil Evidence Act 1995[^f00680].]
Credibility and consistency of maker of written witness statement or other hearsay
62.15
- (1) This rule applies where a party wants to challenge the credibility or consistency of a person who made a statement which another party wants to introduce as hearsay.
- (2) The party who wants to challenge the credibility or consistency of that person must—
- (a) serve a written notice of intention to do so on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) the party who served the hearsay; and
- (b) in it, identify any statement or other material on which that party relies.
- (3) A respondent who wants to challenge such a person’s credibility or consistency must serve such a notice not more than 7 days after service of the hearsay by the applicant.
- (4) An applicant who wants to challenge such a person’s credibility or consistency must serve such a notice not more than 3 days after service of the hearsay by the respondent.
- (5) The party who served the hearsay—
- (a) may call that person to give oral evidence instead; and
- (b) if so, must serve a notice of intention to do so on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) the other party
as soon as practicable after service of the notice under paragraph (2).
[Note. Section 5(2) of the Civil Evidence Act 1995[^f00681]describes the procedure for challenging the credibility of the maker of a statement of which hearsay evidence is introduced.
Magistrates’ courts’ powers to adjourn, etc.
62.16
- (1) This rule applies where a magistrates’ court deals with unauthorised disclosure of prosecution material under sections 17 and 18 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996[^f00684].
- (2) The sections of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 listed in paragraph (3) apply as if in those sections—
- (a) ‘complaint’ and ‘summons’ each referred to an application or written statement under rule 62.9;
- (b) ‘complainant’ meant an applicant; and
- (c) ‘defendant’ meant the respondent.
- (3) Those sections are—
- (a) section 51[^f00685] (issue of summons on complaint);
- (b) section 54[^f00686] (adjournment);
- (c) section 55[^f00687] (non-appearance of defendant);
- (d) section 97(1)[^f00688] (summons to witness);
- (e) section 121(1)[^f00689] (constitution and place of sitting of court);
- (f) section 123[^f00690] (defect in process).
- (4) Section 127 of the 1980 Act[^f00691] (limitation of time) does not apply.
[Note. Under section 19(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996[^f00692], Criminal Procedure Rules may contain provisions equivalent to those contained in Schedule 3 to the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00693](which allows magistrates’ courts in cases of contempt of court to use certain powers such courts possess in other cases).]
Court’s power to vary requirements under Section 3
62.17
- (1) The court may shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit under rule 62.11, 62.14 or 62.15.
- (2) A person who wants an extension of time must—
- (a) apply when serving the statement, notice or application for which it is needed; and
- (b) explain the delay.
PART 63 — APPEAL TO THE CROWN COURT
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| When this Part applies | rule 63.1 |
| Service of appeal notice | rule 63.2 |
| Form of appeal notice | rule 63.3 |
| Duty of magistrates’ court officer | rule 63.4 |
| Duty of person keeping exhibit | rule 63.5 |
| Reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission | rule 63.6 |
| Hearings and decisions | rule 63.7 |
| Abandoning an appeal | rule 63.8 |
| Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part | rule 63.9 |
| Constitution of the Crown Court | rule 63.10 |
When this Part applies
63.1
- (1) This Part applies where—
- (a) a defendant wants to appeal under—
- (i) section 108 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980[^f00694],
- (ii) section 45 of the Mental Health Act 1983[^f00695],
- (iii) paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000[^f00696], or paragraphs 9(8) or 13(5) of Schedule 8 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003[^f00697],
- (iv) section 10 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006[^f00698],
- (v) section 42 of the Counter Terrorism Act 2008[^f00699];
- (b) the Criminal Cases Review Commission refers a defendant’s case to the Crown Court under section 11 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995[^f00700];
- (c) a prosecutor wants to appeal under—
- (i) section 14A(5A) of the Football Spectators Act 1989[^f00701], or
- (ii) section 147(3) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979[^f00702]; or
- (d) a person wants to appeal under—
- (i) section 1 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Appeals from Binding Over Orders) Act 1956[^f00703],
- (ii) section 12(5) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981[^f00704],
- (iii) regulation 3C or 3H of The Costs in Criminal Cases (General) Regulations 1986[^f00705],
- (iv) section 22 of the Football Spectators Act 1989[^f00706], or
- (v) section 10(4) or (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998[^f00707].
- (2) A reference to an ‘appellant’ in this Part is a reference to such a party or person.
[Note. An appeal to the Crown Court is by way of re-hearing: see section 79(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00708]. For the powers of the Crown Court on an appeal, see section 48 of that Act.
Service of appeal notice
63.2
- (1) An appellant must serve an appeal notice on—
- (a) the magistrates’ court officer; and
- (b) every other party.
- (2) The appellant must serve the appeal notice—
- (a) as soon after the decision appealed against as the appellant wants; but
- (b) not more than 21 days after—
- (i) sentence or the date sentence is deferred, whichever is earlier, if the appeal is against conviction or against a finding of guilt,
- (ii) sentence, if the appeal is against sentence, or
- (iii) the order or failure to make an order about which the appellant wants to appeal, in any other case.
- (3) The appellant must serve with the appeal notice any application for the following, with reasons—
- (a) an extension of the time limit under this rule, if the appeal notice is late;
- (b) bail pending appeal, if the appellant is in custody;
- (c) the suspension of any disqualification imposed in the case, where the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court can order such a suspension pending appeal.
- (4) Where both the magistrates’ court and the Crown Court can suspend a disqualification pending appeal, an application for its suspension must indicate by which court the appellant wants the application determined.
[Note. Under section 1(1) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000[^f00710], a magistrates’ court may defer passing sentence for up to 6 months.
Form of appeal notice
63.3
The appeal notice must be in writing and must—
- (a) specify—
- (i) the conviction or finding of guilt,
- (ii) the sentence, or
- (iii) the order, or the failure to make an order
about which the appellant wants to appeal;
- (b) summarise the issues;
- (c) in an appeal against conviction—
- (i) identify the prosecution witnesses whom the appellant will want to question if they are called to give oral evidence, and
- (ii) say how long the trial lasted in the magistrates’ court and how long the appeal is likely to last in the Crown Court;
- (d) in an appeal against a finding that the appellant insulted someone or interrupted proceedings in the magistrates’ court, attach—
- (i) the magistrates’ court’s written findings of fact, and
- (ii) the appellant’s response to those findings;
- (e) say whether the appellant has asked the magistrates’ court to reconsider the case; and
- (f) include a list of those on whom the appellant has served the appeal notice.
[Note. The Practice Direction sets out a form of appeal notice for use in connection with this rule.
Duty of magistrates’ court officer
63.4
The magistrates’ court officer must—
- (a) as soon as practicable serve on the Crown Court officer—
- (i) the appeal notice and any accompanying application served by the appellant,
- (ii) details of the parties including their addresses,
- (iii) a copy of each magistrates’ court register entry relating to the decision under appeal and to any application for bail pending appeal, and
- (iv) any report received for the purposes of sentencing;
- (b) keep any document or object exhibited in the proceedings in the magistrates’ court, or arrange for it to be kept by some other appropriate person, until—
- (i) 6 weeks after the conclusion of those proceedings, or
- (ii) the conclusion of any proceedings in the Crown Court that begin within that 6weeks;
- (c) provide the Crown Court with any document, object or information for which the Crown Court officer asks, within such period as the Crown Court officer may require; and
- (d) arrange for the magistrates’ court to hear as soon as practicable any application to that court under rule 63.2(3) (suspension of disqualification pending appeal).
Duty of person keeping exhibit
63.5
A person who, under arrangements made by the magistrates’ court officer, keeps a document or object exhibited in the proceedings in the magistrates’ court must—
- (a) keep that exhibit until—
- (i) 6 weeks after the conclusion of those proceedings, or
- (ii) the conclusion of any proceedings in the Crown Court that begin within that 6weeks,
unless the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court otherwise directs; and
- (b) provide the Crown Court with any such document or object for which the Crown Court officer asks, within such period as the Crown Court officer may require.
Reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission
63.6
- (1) The Crown Court officer must, as soon as practicable, serve a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission on—
- (a) the appellant;
- (b) every other party; and
- (c) the magistrates’ court officer.
- (2) The appellant may serve an appeal notice on—
- (a) the Crown Court officer; and
- (b) every other party,
not more than 21 days later.
- (3) The Crown Court must treat the reference as the appeal notice if the appellant does not serve an appeal notice.
Hearings and decisions
63.7
- (1) The Crown Court as a general rule must hear in public an appeal or reference to which this Part applies, but—
- (a) may order any hearing to be in private; and
- (b) where a hearing is about a public interest ruling, must hold that hearing in private.
- (2) The Crown Court officer must give as much notice as reasonably practicable of every hearing to—
- (a) the parties;
- (b) any party’s custodian; and
- (c) any other person whom the Crown Court requires to be notified.
- (3) The Crown Court officer must serve every decision on—
- (a) the parties;
- (b) any other person whom the Crown Court requires to be served; and
- (c) the magistrates’ court officer and any party’s custodian, where the decision determines an appeal.
- (4) But where a hearing or decision is about a public interest ruling, the Crown Court officer must not—
- (a) give notice of that hearing to; or
- (b) serve that decision on,
anyone other than the prosecutor who applied for that ruling, unless the court otherwise directs.
[Note. See also Part 22 (Disclosure).]
Abandoning an appeal
63.8
- (1) The appellant—
- (a) may abandon an appeal without the Crown Court’s permission, by serving a notice of abandonment on—
- (i) the magistrates’ court officer,
- (ii) the Crown Court officer, and
- (iii) every other party
before the hearing of the appeal begins; but
- (b) after the hearing of the appeal begins, may only abandon the appeal with the Crown Court’s permission.
- (2) A notice of abandonment must be signed by or on behalf of the appellant.
- (3) Where an appellant who is on bail pending appeal abandons an appeal—
- (a) the appellant must surrender to custody as directed by the magistrates’ court officer; and
- (b) any conditions of bail apply until then.
[Note. The Practice Direction sets out a form of notice of abandonment for use in connection with this rule.
Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
63.9
The Crown Court may—
- (a) shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit under this Part;
- (b) allow an appellant to vary an appeal notice that that appellant has served;
- (c) direct that an appeal notice be served on any person;
- (d) allow an appeal notice or a notice of abandonment to be in a different form to one set out in the Practice Direction, or to be presented orally.
Constitution of the Crown Court
63.10
On the hearing of an appeal—
- (a) the general rule is that the Crown Court must comprise—
- (i) a judge of the High Court, a Circuit judge, a Recorder or a qualifying judge advocate, and
- (ii) no less than two and no more than four justices of the peace, none of whom took part in the decision under appeal; and
- (b) if the appeal is from a youth court—
- (i) each justice of the peace must be qualified to sit as a member of a youth court, and
- (ii) the Crown Court must include a man and a woman; but
- (c) the Crown Court may include only one justice of the peace and need not include both a man and a woman if—
- (i) the presiding judge decides that otherwise the start of the appeal hearing will be delayed unreasonably, or
- (ii) one or more of the justices of the peace who started hearing the appeal is absent.
[Note. See sections 73 and 74 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00716], section 45 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933[^f00717]and section 9 of the Courts Act 2003[^f00718]. Under section 8(1A) of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00719], a qualifying judge advocate may not exercise the jurisdiction of the Crown Court on an appeal from a youth court.]
PART 64 — APPEAL TO THE HIGH COURT BY CASE STATED
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| When this Part applies | rule 64.1 |
| Application to state a case | rule 64.2 |
| Preparation of case stated | rule 64.3 |
| Duty of justices’ legal adviser | rule 64.4 |
| Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part | rule 64.5 |
When this Part applies
64.1
This Part applies where a person wants to appeal to the High Court by case stated—
- (a) under section 111 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980[^f00720], against a decision of a magistrates’ court; or
- (b) under section 28 of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00721], against a decision of the Crown Court.
[Note. Under section 111 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, ‘any person who was a party to any proceeding before a magistrates’ court or is aggrieved by the conviction, order, determination or other proceeding of the court may question the proceeding on the ground that it is wrong in law or is in excess of jurisdiction by applying to the justices composing the court to state a case for the opinion of the High Court on the question of law or jurisdiction involved’.
Application to state a case
64.2
- (1) A party who wants the court to state a case for the opinion of the High Court must—
- (a) apply in writing, not more than 21 days after the decision against which the applicant wants to appeal; and
- (b) serve the application on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) each other party.
- (2) The application must—
- (a) specify the decision in issue;
- (b) specify the proposed question or questions of law or jurisdiction on which the opinion of the High Court will be asked;
- (c) indicate the proposed grounds of appeal; and
- (d) include or attach any application for the following, with reasons—
- (i) if the application is to the Crown Court, an extension of time within which to apply to state a case,
- (ii) bail pending appeal,
- (iii) the suspension of any disqualification imposed in the case, where the court can order such a suspension pending appeal.
- (3) A party who wants to make representations about the application must—
- (a) serve the representations on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) each other party; and
- (b) do so not more than 14 days after service of the application.
- (4) The court may determine the application without a hearing.
- (5) If the court decides not to state a case, the court officer must serve on each party—
- (a) notice of that decision; and
- (b) the court’s written reasons for that decision, if not more than 21 days later the applicant asks for those reasons.
[Note. The time limit for applying to a magistrates’ court to state a case is prescribed by section 111(2) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980. It may be neither extended nor shortened.
Preparation of case stated
64.3
- (1) This rule applies where the court decides to state a case for the opinion of the High Court.
- (2) The court officer must serve on each party notice of—
- (a) the decision to state a case, and
- (b) any recognizance ordered by the court.
- (3) Unless the court otherwise directs, not more than 21 days after the court’s decision to state a case—
- (a) in a magistrates court, the court officer must serve a draft case on each party;
- (b) in the Crown Court, the applicant must serve a draft case on the court officer and each other party.
- (4) The draft case must—
- (a) specify the decision in issue;
- (b) specify the question(s) of law or jurisdiction on which the opinion of the High Court will be asked;
- (c) include a succinct summary of—
- (i) the nature and history of the proceedings,
- (ii) the court’s relevant findings of fact, and
- (iii) the relevant contentions of the parties;
- (d) if a question is whether there was sufficient evidence on which the court reasonably could reach a finding of fact—
- (i) specify that finding, and
- (ii) include a summary of the evidence on which the court reached that finding.
- (5) Except to the extent that paragraph (4)(d) requires, the draft case must not include an account of the evidence received by the court.
- (6) A party who wants to make representations about the content of the draft case, or to propose a revised draft, must—
- (a) serve the representations, or revised draft, on—
- (i) the court officer, and
- (ii) each other party; and
- (b) do so not more than 21 days after service of the draft case.
- (7) The court must state the case not more than 21 days after the time for service of representations under paragraph (6) has expired.
- (8) A case stated for the opinion of the High Court must—
- (a) comply with paragraphs (4) and (5); and
- (b) identify—
- (i) the court that stated it, and
- (ii) the court office for that court.
- (9) The court officer must serve the case stated on each party.
[Note. Under section 114 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980[^f00724], a magistrates’ court need not state a case until the person who applied for it has entered into a recognizance to appeal promptly to the High Court. The Crown Court has a corresponding inherent power.
Duty of justices’ legal adviser
64.4
- (1) This rule applies—
- (a) only in a magistrates’ court; and
- (b) unless the court—
- (i) includes a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts), and
- (ii) otherwise directs.
- (2) A justices’ legal adviser must—
- (a) give the court legal advice; and
- (b) if the court so requires, assist it by—
- (i) preparing and amending the draft case, and
- (ii) completing the case stated.
Court’s power to vary requirements under this Part
64.5
- (1) The court may shorten or extend (even after it has expired) a time limit under this Part.
- (2) A person who wants an extension of time must—
- (a) apply when serving the application, representations or draft case for which it is needed; and
- (b) explain the delay.
[Note. See also rule 64.2(2)(d)(i) and the note to rule 64.2.]
PART 65 — APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEAL: GENERAL RULES
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| When this Part applies | rule 65.1 |
| Case management in the Court of Appeal | rule 65.2 |
| Power to vary requirements | rule 65.3 |
| Application for extension of time | rule 65.4 |
| Renewing an application refused by a judge or the Registrar | rule 65.5 |
| Hearings | rule 65.6 |
| Notice of hearings and decisions | rule 65.7 |
| Duty of Crown Court officer | rule 65.8 |
| Duty of person transcribing proceedings in the Crown Court | rule 65.9 |
| Duty of person keeping exhibit | rule 65.10 |
| Registrar’s duty to provide copy documents for appeal or reference | rule 65.11 |
| Declaration of incompatibility with a Convention right | rule 65.12 |
| Abandoning an appeal | rule 65.13 |
| Abandoning a ground of appeal or opposition | rule 65.14 |
When this Part applies
65.1
- (1) This Part applies to all the applications, appeals and references to the Court of Appeal to which Parts 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 74 apply.
- (2) In this Part and in those, unless the context makes it clear that something different is meant ‘court’ means the Court of Appeal or any judge of that court.
[Note. See rule 2.2 for the usual meaning of ‘court’.
Case management in the Court of Appeal
65.2
- (1) The court and the parties have the same duties and powers as under Part 3 (case management).
- (2) The Registrar—
- (a) must fulfil the duty of active case management under rule 3.2; and
- (b) in fulfilling that duty may exercise any of the powers of case management under—
- (i) rule 3.5 (the court’s general powers of case management),
- (ii) rule 3.9(3) (requiring a certificate of readiness), and
- (iii) rule 3.10 (requiring a party to identify intentions and anticipated requirements)
subject to the directions of the court.
- (3) The Registrar must nominate a case progression officer under rule 3.4.
Power to vary requirements
65.3
The court or the Registrar may—
- (a) shorten a time limit or extend it (even after it has expired) unless that is inconsistent with other legislation;
- (b) allow a party to vary any notice that that party has served;
- (c) direct that a notice or application be served on any person;
- (d) allow a notice or application to be in a different form, or presented orally.
[Note. The time limit for serving an appeal notice—
- (a) under section 18 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968[^f00733]on an appeal against conviction or sentence, and
- (b) under section 18A of that Act[^f00734]on an appeal against a finding of contempt of court
Application for extension of time
65.4
A person who wants an extension of time within which to serve a notice or make an application must—
- (a) apply for that extension of time when serving that notice or making that application; and
- (b) give the reasons for the application for an extension of time.
Renewing an application refused by a judge or the Registrar
65.5
- (1) This rule applies where a party with the right to do so wants to renew—
- (a) to a judge of the Court of Appeal an application refused by the Registrar; or
- (b) to the Court of Appeal an application refused by a judge of that court.
- (2) That party must—
- (a) renew the application in the form set out in the Practice Direction, signed by or on behalf of the applicant;
- (b) serve the renewed application on the Registrar not more than 14 days after—
- (i) the refusal of the application that the applicant wants to renew; or
- (ii) the Registrar serves that refusal on the applicant, if the applicant was not present in person or by live link when the original application was refused.
[Note. The time limit of 14 days under this rule is reduced to 5 days where Parts 66, 67 or 69 apply: see rules 66.7, 67.10 and 69.7.
Hearings
65.6
- (1) The general rule is that the Court of Appeal must hear in public—
- (a) an application, including an application for permission to appeal; and
- (b) an appeal or reference,
but it may order any hearing to be in private.
- (2) Where a hearing is about a public interest ruling, that hearing must be in private unless the court otherwise directs.
- (3) Where the appellant wants to appeal against an order restricting public access to a trial, the court—
- (a) may decide without a hearing—
- (i) an application, including an application for permission to appeal, and
- (ii) an appeal; but
- (b) must announce its decision on such an appeal at a hearing in public.
- (4) Where the appellant wants to appeal or to refer a case to the Supreme Court, the court—
- (a) may decide without a hearing an application—
- (i) for permission to appeal or to refer a sentencing case, or
- (ii) to refer a point of law; but
- (b) must announce its decision on such an application at a hearing in public.
- (5) A judge of the Court of Appeal and the Registrar may exercise any of their powers—
- (a) at a hearing in public or in private; or
- (b) without a hearing.
[Note. For the procedure on an appeal against an order restricting public access to a trial, see Part 69.]
Notice of hearings and decisions
65.7
- (1) The Registrar must give as much notice as reasonably practicable of every hearing to—
- (a) the parties;
- (b) any party’s custodian;
- (c) any other person whom the court requires to be notified; and
- (d) the Crown Court officer, where Parts 66, 67 or 69 apply.
- (2) The Registrar must serve every decision on—
- (a) the parties;
- (b) any other person whom the court requires to be served; and
- (c) the Crown Court officer and any party’s custodian, where the decision determines an appeal or application for permission to appeal.
- (3) But where a hearing or decision is about a public interest ruling, the Registrar must not—
- (a) give notice of that hearing to; or
- (b) serve that decision on,
anyone other than the prosecutor who applied for that ruling, unless the court otherwise directs.
Duty of Crown Court officer
65.8
- (1) The Crown Court officer must provide the Registrar with any document, object or information for which the Registrar asks, within such period as the Registrar may require.
- (2) Where someone may appeal to the Court of Appeal, the Crown Court officer must keep any document or object exhibited in the proceedings in the Crown Court, or arrange for it to be kept by some other appropriate person, until—
- (a) 6 weeks after the conclusion of those proceedings; or
- (b) the conclusion of any appeal proceedings that begin within that 6 weeks,
unless the court, the Registrar or the Crown Court otherwise directs.
- (3) Where Part 66 applies (appeal to the Court of Appeal against ruling at preparatory hearing), the Crown Court officer must as soon as practicable serve on the appellant a transcript or note of—
- (a) each order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal; and
- (b) the decision by the Crown Court judge on any application for permission to appeal.
- (4) Where Part 67 applies (appeal to the Court of Appeal against ruling adverse to prosecution), the Crown Court officer must as soon as practicable serve on the appellant a transcript or note of—
- (a) each ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal;
- (b) the decision by the Crown Court judge on any application for permission to appeal; and
- (c) the decision by the Crown Court judge on any request to expedite the appeal.
- (5) Where Part 68 applies (appeal to the Court of Appeal about conviction or sentence), the Crown Court officer must as soon as practicable serve on the Registrar—
- (a) the appeal notice and any accompanying application that the appellant serves on the Crown Court officer;
- (b) any Crown Court judge’s certificate that the case is fit for appeal;
- (c) the decision on any application at the Crown Court centre for bail pending appeal;
- (d) such of the Crown Court case papers as the Registrar requires; and
- (e) such transcript of the Crown Court proceedings as the Registrar requires.
- (6) Where Part 69 applies (appeal to the Court of Appeal regarding reporting or public access) and an order is made restricting public access to a trial, the Crown Court officer must—
- (a) immediately notify the Registrar of that order, if the appellant has given advance notice of intention to appeal; and
- (b) as soon as practicable provide the applicant for that order with a transcript or note of the application.
[Note. See also section 87(4) of the Senior Courts Act 1981[^f00739]and rules 5.5 (recording and transcription of proceedings in the Crown Court), 65.9 (duty of person transcribing record of proceedings in the Crown Court) and 65.10 (duty of person keeping exhibit).]
Duty of person transcribing proceedings in the Crown Court
65.9
A person who transcribes a recording of proceedings in the Crown Court under arrangements made by the Crown Court officer must provide the Registrar with any transcript for which the Registrar asks, within such period as the Registrar may require.
[Note. See also section 32 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968[^f00740]and rule 5.5 (recording and transcription of proceedings in the Crown Court).]
Duty of person keeping exhibit
65.10
A person who under arrangements made by the Crown Court officer keeps a document or object exhibited in the proceedings in the Crown Court must—
- (a) keep that exhibit until—
- (i) 6 weeks after the conclusion of the Crown Court proceedings, or
- (ii) the conclusion of any appeal proceedings that begin within that 6 weeks,
unless the court, the Registrar or the Crown Court otherwise directs; and
- (b) provide the Registrar with any such document or object for which the Registrar asks, within such period as the Registrar may require.
[Note. See also rule 65.8(2) (duty of Crown Court officer).]
Registrar’s duty to provide copy documents for appeal or reference
65.11
Unless the court otherwise directs, for the purposes of an appeal or reference—
- (a) the Registrar must—
- (i) provide a party with a copy of any document or transcript held by the Registrar for such purposes, or
- (ii) allow a party to inspect such a document or transcript,
on payment by that party of any charge fixed by the Treasury; but
- (b) the Registrar must not provide a copy or allow the inspection of—
- (i) a document provided only for the court and the Registrar, or
- (ii) a transcript of a public interest ruling or of an application for such a ruling.
[Note. Section 21 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 requires the Registrar to collect, prepare and provide documents needed by the court.]
Declaration of incompatibility with a Convention right
65.12
- (1) This rule applies where a party—
- (a) wants the court to make a declaration of incompatibility with a Convention right under section 4 of the Human Rights Act 1998[^f00741]; or
- (b) raises an issue that the Registrar thinks may lead the court to make such a declaration.
- (2) The Registrar must serve notice on—
- (a) the relevant person named in the list published under section 17(1) of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947[^f00742]; or
- (b) the Treasury Solicitor, if it is not clear who is the relevant person.
- (3) That notice must include or attach details of—
- (a) the legislation affected and the Convention right concerned;
- (b) the parties to the appeal; and
- (c) any other information or document that the Registrar thinks relevant.
- (4) A person who has a right under the 1998 Act to become a party to the appeal must—
- (a) serve notice on—
- (i) the Registrar, and
- (ii) the other parties,
if that person wants to exercise that right; and
- (b) in that notice—
- (i) indicate the conclusion that that person invites the court to reach on the question of incompatibility, and
- (ii) identify each ground for that invitation, concisely outlining the arguments in support.
- (5) The court must not make a declaration of incompatibility—
- (a) less than 21 days after the Registrar serves notice under paragraph (2); and
- (b) without giving any person who serves a notice under paragraph (4) an opportunity to make representations at a hearing.
Abandoning an appeal
65.13
- (1) This rule applies where an appellant wants to—
- (a) abandon—
- (i) an application to the court for permission to appeal, or
- (ii) an appeal; or
- (b) reinstate such an application or appeal after abandoning it.
- (2) The appellant—
- (a) may abandon such an application or appeal without the court’s permission by serving a notice of abandonment on—
- (i) the Registrar, and
- (ii) any respondent
before any hearing of the application or appeal; but
- (b) at any such hearing, may only abandon that application or appeal with the court’s permission.
- (3) A notice of abandonment must be in the form set out in the Practice Direction, signed by or on behalf of the appellant.
- (4) On receiving a notice of abandonment the Registrar must—
- (a) date it;
- (b) serve a dated copy on—
- (i) the appellant,
- (ii) the appellant’s custodian, if any,
- (iii) the Crown Court officer, and
- (iv) any other person on whom the appellant or the Registrar served the appeal notice; and
- (c) treat the application or appeal as if it had been refused or dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
- (5) An appellant who wants to reinstate an application or appeal after abandoning it must—
- (a) apply in writing, with reasons; and
- (b) serve the application on the Registrar.
[Note. The Court of Appeal has power only in exceptional circumstances to allow an appellant to reinstate an application or appeal that has been abandoned.]
Abandoning a ground of appeal or opposition
65.14
- (1) This rule applies where a party wants to abandon—
- (a) a ground of appeal identified in an appeal notice; or
- (b) a ground of opposition identified in a respondent’s notice.
- (2) Such a party must give written notice to—
- (a) the Registrar; and
- (b) every other party,
before any hearing at which that ground will be considered by the court.
PART 66 — APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEAL AGAINST RULING AT PREPARATORY HEARING
| Contents of this Part | |
|---|---|
| When this Part applies | rule 66.1 |
| Service of appeal notice | rule 66.2 |
| Form of appeal notice | rule 66.3 |
| Crown Court judge’s permission to appeal | rule 66.4 |
| Respondent’s notice | rule 66.5 |
| Powers of Court of Appeal judge | rule 66.6 |
| Renewing applications | rule 66.7 |
| Right to attend hearing | rule 66.8 |
When this Part applies
66.1
- (1) This Part applies where a party wants to appeal under—
- (a) section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987[^f00743] or section 35(1) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996[^f00744]; or
- (b) section 47(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003[^f00745].
- (2) A reference to an ‘appellant’ in this Part is a reference to such a party.
[Note. Under section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (which applies to serious or complex fraud cases) and under section 35(1) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (which applies to other complex, serious or long cases) a party may appeal to the Court of Appeal against an order made at a preparatory hearing in the Crown Court.
Service of appeal notice
66.2
- (1) An appellant must serve an appeal notice on—
- (a) the Crown Court officer;
- (b) the Registrar; and
- (c) every party directly affected by the order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal.
- (2) The appellant must serve the appeal notice not more than 5 business days after—
- (a) the order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal; or
- (b) the Crown Court judge gives or refuses permission to appeal.
Form of appeal notice
66.3
- (1) An appeal notice must be in the form set out in the Practice Direction.
- (2) The appeal notice must—
- (a) specify each order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal;
- (b) identify each ground of appeal on which the appellant relies, numbering them consecutively (if there is more than one) and concisely outlining each argument in support;
- (c) summarise the relevant facts;
- (d) identify any relevant authorities;
- (e) include or attach any application for the following, with reasons—
- (i) permission to appeal, if the appellant needs the court’s permission,
- (ii) an extension of time within which to serve the appeal notice,
- (iii) a direction to attend in person a hearing that the appellant could attend by live link, if the appellant is in custody;
- (f) include a list of those on whom the appellant has served the appeal notice; and
- (g) attach—
- (i) a transcript or note of each order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal,
- (ii) all relevant skeleton arguments considered by the Crown Court judge,
- (iii) any written application for permission to appeal that the appellant made to the Crown Court judge,
- (iv) a transcript or note of the decision by the Crown Court judge on any application for permission to appeal, and
- (v) any other document or thing that the appellant thinks the court will need to decide the appeal.
[Note. An appellant needs the court’s permission to appeal in every case to which this Part applies unless the Crown Court judge gives permission.]
Crown Court judge’s permission to appeal
66.4
- (1) An appellant who wants the Crown Court judge to give permission to appeal must—
- (a) apply orally, with reasons, immediately after the order or ruling against which the appellant wants to appeal; or
- (b) apply in writing and serve the application on—
- (i) the Crown Court officer, and
- (ii) every party directly affected by the order or ruling
not more than 2 business days after that order or ruling.
- (2) A written application must include the same information (with the necessary adaptations) as an appeal notice.
[Note. For the Crown Court judge’s power to give permission to appeal, see section 9(11) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, section 35(1) of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and section 47(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.]
Respondent’s notice
66.5
- (1) A party on whom an appellant serves an appeal notice may serve a respondent’s notice, and must do so if—
- (a) that party wants to make representations to the court; or
- (b) the court so directs.
- (2) Such a party must serve the respondent’s notice on—
- (a) the appellant;
- (b) the Crown Court officer;
- (c) the Registrar; and
- (d) any other party on whom the appellant served the appeal notice.
- (3) Such a party must serve the respondent’s notice not more than 5 business days after—
- (a) the appellant serves the appeal notice; or
- (b) a direction to do so.
- (4) The respondent’s notice must be in the form set out in the Practice Direction.
- (5) The respondent’s notice must—
- (a) give the date on which the respondent was served with the appeal notice;
- (b) identify each ground of opposition on which the respondent relies, numbering them consecutively (if there is more than one), concisely outlining each argument in support and identifying the ground of appeal to which each relates;
- (c) summarise any relevant facts not already summarised in the appeal notice;
- (d) identify any relevant authorities;
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