Third Amendment to the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 – July 2024
Amendments to the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 – July 2024
Summary of Key Changes
This is the third amendment to the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 [1]. It is issued by the Lady Chief Justice and comes into force on 22nd July 2024.
In this amendment:
(1) In paragraph 7.3.2(b) omit the words “and short reasons for”.
(2) In paragraph 7.3.5 for the first sentence substitute “A statement must be prepared
by the experts dealing with paragraphs 7.3.2(a) – (d) above and giving reasons for the
agreement or disagreement. Reasons should be succinct, especially on points about
which experts agree.”
(3) In paragraph 6.3.53 omit the words “Once the s.28 hearing has taken place, any
judge, including appropriately authorised Recorders, can deal with the trial”.
Paragraphs 7.3.2 and 7.3.5 have been amended to remove any inconsistency with
rule 19.6(2)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Paragraph 6.3.53 has been amended to clarify that authorised recorders can
conduct ground rules hearings and section 28 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence
Act 1999 hearings.
Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill
Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales
[1.] The Criminal Practice Directions 2023 were issued on 19th April 2023 and came into force on 29th May 2023.
The first amendment came into force on 2nd October 2023. The second amendment came into force on 7th November 2023.