Criminal Justice Act 2003

274 Further provisions about references relating to transferred life prisoners E+W

(1) A reference to the High Court under section 273 is to be determined by a single judge of that court without an oral hearing.

(2) In relation to a reference under that section, any reference to “the court” [F1 in sections 321 to 323 of the Sentencing Code] is to be read as a reference to the High Court.

(3) A person in respect of whom a reference has been made under section 273 may with the leave of the Court of Appeal appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision of the High Court on the reference.

(4) Section 1(1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 (c. 65) (appeal to [F2 Supreme Court] from decision of High Court in a criminal cause or matter) and section 18(1)(a) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54) (exclusion of appeal from High Court to Court of Appeal in a criminal cause or matter) do not apply in relation to a decision to which subsection (3) applies.

(5) The jurisdiction conferred on the Court of Appeal by subsection (3) is to be exercised by the criminal division of that court.

(6) Section 33(3) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c. 19) (limitation on appeal from criminal division of Court of Appeal) does not prevent an appeal to the [F2 Supreme Court] under this section.

(7) In relation to appeals to the Court of Appeal or the [F2 Supreme Court] under this section, the Secretary of State may make an order containing provision corresponding to any provision in the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (subject to any specified modifications).

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 274(2) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 240 (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F2 Words in s. 274 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40(4), 148, Sch. 9 para. 82(5); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)