The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

Determination of appeal by Court of Appeal N.I.

20.—(1) On an appeal under Article 17, the Court of Appeal may confirm, reverse or vary any ruling to which the appeal relates.

(2) Paragraphs (3) to (5) apply where the appeal relates to a single ruling.

(3) Where the Court of Appeal confirms the ruling, it must, in respect of the offence or each offence which is the subject of the appeal, order that the defendant in relation to that offence be acquitted of that offence.

(4) Where the Court of Appeal reverses or varies the ruling, it must, in respect of the offence or each offence which is the subject of the appeal, do any of the following—

(a) order that proceedings for that offence may be resumed in the Crown Court;

(b) order that a fresh trial may take place in the Crown Court for that offence;

(c) order that the defendant in relation to that offence be acquitted of that offence.

[F1 (5) But the Court of Appeal may not make an order under paragraph (4)(c) in respect of an offence unless it considers that the defendant could not receive a fair trial if an order were made under paragraph (4)(a) or (b).]

(6) Paragraphs (7) and (8) apply where the appeal relates to a ruling that there is no case to answer and one or more other rulings.

(7) Where the Court of Appeal confirms the ruling that there is no case to answer, it must, in respect of the offence or each offence which is the subject of the appeal, order that the defendant in relation to that offence be acquitted of that offence.

(8) Where the Court of Appeal reverses or varies the ruling that there is no case to answer, it must in respect of the offence or each offence which is the subject of the appeal, make any of the orders mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) to (c) (but subject to paragraph (5)).

F1 Art. 20(5) substituted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 45, 153(7) (with Sch. 27 para. 17); S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 24 (with art. 2(3), Sch. 2)