Crown Court

Question 1

when are the first set of directions issued?

Answer 1

by the MC at the first court appearance (unless there will be a PH)

Question 2

what does PTPH stand for?

Answer 2

plea and trial preparation hearing

Question 3

briefly, what happens in the PTPH?

Answer 3

first hearing in CC where D asked to formally enter their plea

Question 4

what is the first stage of the PTPH?

Answer 4

D IS arraigned (= told counts + asked for plea)

Question 5

what is a Goodyear indication? Explain this.

Answer 5

D can ask for a Goodyear indication.

This is an indication of sentence if D were to plea G at this stage. This is at the judge’s discretion.

It is not binding unless D changes their plea to G as a result.

Question 6

if P has agreed to drop some counts and D pleads to others, what will happen at the PTPH?

Answer 6

P will offer no evidence + judge orders NG verdict for those or P asks counts to ‘lie on file’.

No NG verdict ordered.

P can re-open case with court permission.

Question 6

if there is no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction, what will happen at the PTPH?

Answer 6

P will offer no evidence. Judge orders NG verdict + D discharged.

Question 7

what will happen at the PTPH if D pleads G to all charges?

Answer 7

sentenced immediately or adj. for PSR/Newton hearing

bail to be decided if adj.

Question 8

what will happen at the PTPH if D pleads NG to all charges?

Answer 8

CMD & trial date fixed/warned list.

Parties must have case information (i.e. summary of issues, no. Ws + availability etc, evidence filed/to be filed) to assist court with CMDs.

Question 9

what is the warned list?

Answer 9

List of back-up cases called if another trial doesn’t go ahead