Case Management and Pre-trial Hearings

• What is the time frame for the prosecution to serve evidence in a summary case at the Magistrates Court?

  Within 28 days of the order
• What must the defence include in their "defence disclosure"?

  Any witnesses the defendant wants to call to trial, including their name, address, and date of birth
• In which cases does the defence disclosure apply?

  All cases where the defendant pleads not guilty in magistrates
• How many days does the defence have to make disclosure?

  Within 7 days of the order
• How many days does the defendant have to serve a defence statement?

  Within 14 days of the order
• When is the plea and trial preparation hearing held in the Crown Court?

  Within 28 days of the case being sent to Magistrates
• What happens if the defendant enters a guilty plea during the plea and trial preparation hearing?

  The defendant is sentenced
• What is a ‘goodyear indication’?

  An indication of sentence that can be requested before entering a plea
• What occurs if the defendant pleads not guilty during the plea and trial preparation hearing?

  A trial date will be set
• How many days does the prosecution have to complete disclosure?

  50 days, or 70 days if on bail
• What is the nature of the prosecutor's duty to disclose evidence?

  The prosecutor's duty to disclose is ongoing
• What should prosecutors do throughout the proceedings regarding material?

  They should continue to review material
• What must prosecutors assess regarding police material?

  Whether the police material meets the disclosure test
• Can a single piece of police material meet the disclosure threshold?

  No, a single material might not meet the threshold, but a group of police material can
• What should prosecutors do with doubtful material?

  They should disclose it unless it is sensitive
• What must the defence do after receiving disclosure?

  The defence must serve a defence case statement within 28 days of disclosure