8(1)Subject to paragraph 13 below, this paragraph applies in a case where—E+W
(a)a person has been sent for trial under section 51 [F1or 51A] of this Act but has not been arraigned;
(b)he is charged on an indictment which (following amendment of the indictment, or as a result of an application under paragraph 2 above, or for any other reason) includes no [F2main offence (within the meaning of paragraph 7 above)];
(c)he is represented by a legal representative;
(d)the Crown Court considers that by reason of his disorderly conduct before the court it is not practicable for proceedings under paragraph 7 above to be conducted in his presence; and
(e)the court considers that it should proceed in his absence.
(2)In such a case—
(a)the court shall cause to be read to the representative each [F3remaining] count of the indictment that charges an offence triable either way;
(b)the court shall ask the representative whether (if the offence in question were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
(c)if the representative indicates that the accused would plead guilty the court shall proceed as if the accused had been arraigned on the count in question and had pleaded guilty;
(d)if the representative indicates that the accused would plead not guilty, or fails to indicate how the accused would plead, the court shall [F4decide] whether the offence is more suitable for summary trial or for trial on indictment.
(3)Subject to sub-paragraph (2)(c) above, the following shall not for any purpose be taken to constitute the taking of a plea—
(a)asking the representative under this section whether (if the offence were to proceed to trial) the accused would plead guilty or not guilty;
(b)an indication by the representative under this paragraph of how the accused would plead.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(a) inserted (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 20(8)(a); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(2)(3)(c), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)
F2Words in Sch. 3 para. 8(1)(b) substituted (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 20(8)(b); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(2)(3)(c), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)
F3Word in Sch. 3 para. 8(2)(a) inserted (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 20(8)(c); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(2)(3)(c), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)
F4Word in Sch. 3 para. 8(2)(d) substituted (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 20(8)(d); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(2)(3)(c), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)
Commencement Information
I1Sch. 3 para. 8 partly in force; Sch. 3 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 121. In force at 30.9.1998 for certain purposes by S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1) (subject to savings in arts. 5-8); Sch. 3 para. 8 in force at 4.1.1999 for the purpose of sending any person for trial under s. 51 from any area specified in Sch. 2 of the said S.I. by S.I. 1998/2327, art. 4(2); Sch. 3 para. 8 in force at 15.1.2001 to the extent that it is not already in force by S.I. 2000/3283, art. 2 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3)