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CRIMINAL LAW DEPARTMENT
Information Sheet 9
Pleas and Directions Hearings |
Your case has been committed to the Crown Court
for trial.
The first hearing in the Crown Court is a “pleas and directions
hearing" This is not the actual trial, but a preliminary
hearing to sort out anything which needs to be dealt with before
the trial.
The formal charges against you will be read out to you on this
occasion, and you will have to enter pleas to those charges.
The Judge will consider any matters which need to be dealt with,
and will then give directions as to what final preparation work
needs to be undertaken before the trial.
Please let us know well in advance if there are any dates when
you or your witnesses would not be available to attend for the
trial, so that the court can take these dates into account when
setting a trial date. Once a date has been arranged, the court
will be very reluctant to alter it.
We are now required to serve the prosecution and the court with
a defence statement setting out details of the defence you propose
to put forward in this case. We must do this within fourteen
days after the committal hearing, and it is therefore essential
that you let us have your full instructions as soon as possible
so that we can prepare the defence statement on your behalf
within the required time . If you have not already done
so, please telephone straight away and arrange an appointment
to come and see us for this purpose. If we do not comply with
this rule and provide details of your defence then your case
may be prejudiced.
It is also necessary to complete the Legal aid form B at this
stage so please bring your wage slips and other financial documents
to the office as soon as you can.
If you wish to call any witnesses to give evidence at your trial,
we will also need to see them to take their statements.
Although trial dates can be set some time ahead, there are often
matters that we need to follow up on your behalf, and it is
in your interests to keep in contact with us so we can prepare
your case fully in advance. Please remember that this is your
case. We will do everything we can to help and assist you, but
we can only act on your instructions. If you do not provide
us with any instructions, or leave it until the last minute
to do so, your case may be harmed.
You must arrive at court for the pleas and directions hearing
in good time to enable the matter to be dealt with promptly.
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