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Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999

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Changes over time for: Section 20

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Version Superseded: 31/10/2009

Status:

Point in time view as at 06/12/2006. This version of this provision has been superseded. Help about Status

Changes to legislation:

Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, Section 20 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

20 Further provisions about directions: general.E+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)Subject to subsection (221.) and section 21(8), a special measures direction has binding effect from the time it is made until the proceedings for the purposes of which it is made are either—

(a)determined (by acquittal, conviction or otherwise), or

(b)abandoned,

in relation to the accused or (if there is more than one) in relation to each of the accused.

(2)The court may discharge or vary (or further vary) a special measures direction if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so, and may do so either—

(a)on an application made by a party to the proceedings, if there has been a material change of circumstances since the relevant time, or

(b)of its own motion.

(3)In subsection (2) “the relevant time” means—

(a)the time when the direction was given, or

(b)if a previous application has been made under that subsection, the time when the application (or last application) was made.

(4)Nothing in section 24(2) and (3), 27(4) to (7) or 28(4) to (6) is to be regarded as affecting the power of the court to vary or discharge a special measures direction under subsection (2).

(5)The court must state in open court its reasons for—

(a)giving or varying,

(b)refusing an application for, or for the variation or discharge of, or

(c)discharging,

a special measures direction and, if it is a magistrates’ court, must cause them to be entered in the register of its proceedings.

(6)[F1Criminal Procedure Rules] may make provision—

(a)for uncontested applications to be determined by the court without a hearing;

(b)for preventing the renewal of an unsuccessful application for a special measures direction except where there has been a material change of circumstances;

(c)for expert evidence to be given in connection with an application for, or for varying or discharging, such a direction;

(d)for the manner in which confidential or sensitive information is to be treated in connection with such an application and in particular as to its being disclosed to, or withheld from, a party to the proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 20(6) substituted (1.9.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 110(1), Sch. 8 para. 384(a); S.I. 2004/2066, art. 2(c)(xix) (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I1S. 20 wholly in force at 24.7.2002; Pt. II Chs. 1-4 (ss. 16-52) in force for certain purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 68(4): s. 20 in force in so far as not already in force at 24.7.2002 by S.I. 2002/1739, art. 2(a)

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