Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules make a number of amendments to the Crown Court Rules 1982 (S.I. 1982/1109) which are necessary in relation to the new procedure created by sections 51 and 52 of and Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) (no committal proceedings for indictable-only proceedings).
Rules 2(2), (3) and (4) amend the 1982 Rules to provide for the appropriate time under the new procedure by which a party that wishes to do so, shall apply for the evidence of a child or person outside the United Kingdom to be given by video recording or television link under section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33).
Rule 2(5) provides for a new rule 24ZA of the 1982 Rules so as to specify the latest date for which the first Crown Court appearance of a person sent for trial under the new procedure shall be listed. Rule 2(6) allows for the possibility of that appearance being in chambers.