The Criminal Appeal (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Rules 2009

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Rules 1968 (S.R. 1968 No.218) (‘the principal Rules’) to take account of Part III of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (‘the 2004 Order’), and Article 83 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (‘the 2008 Order’).

• Part III of the 2004 Order provides for witnesses other than the defendant to give evidence in specified criminal proceedings through a live link.

• Article 83 of the 2008 Order amends the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 to enable the Court of Appeal to give a live link direction that the appellant is to attend proceedings, at which he is expected to be in custody but is entitled to be present, through a live link.

• Rules 2(1) and 2(2) amend Form 2 and Form 6 of the principal Rules respectively to refer to the appellant’s presence by a live link;

• Rule 2(3) amends Form 7 of the principal Rules by inserting a question to establish whether a live link direction is sought; and

• Rule 2(4) amends Form 14 of the principal Rules to make reference to a witness’ attendance by live link.