Part I Criminal Procedure, etc.
Miscellaneous provisions as to evidence, procedure and trial
17 Entry of verdict of not guilty by order of a judge.
Where a defendant arraigned on an indictment or inquisition pleads not guilty and the prosecutor proposes to offer no evidence against him, the court before which the defendant is arraigned may, if it thinks fit, order that a verdict of not guilty shall be recorded without F1any further steps being taken in the proceedings, and the verdict shall have the same effect as if the defendant had been tried and acquitted on the verdict of a jury F2or a court.