The Bench Book was last revised in 2003 and is therefore out of date in some respects. It is presently being revised by Mr Justice Hart (assisted by Judge McFarland and Judge Lynch QC). This is being done on an incremental basis and new, or revised, entries will be inserted in the Bench Book as they are approved. Such entries are indicated thus ** and by the addition to the relevant entry in the Index of the words “updated” (showing that the entry has been revised) or “newly added” (for completely new entries), with the date upon which the entry was revised or compiled.

Until the process of revision has been completed, judges are therefore advised, when drafting directions to the jury, not to rely on entries that have not been recently revised or added, but to consult etc (as in your draft). 

The Index is now placed at the beginning of the Bench Book, and the pagination revised to allow the user to scroll down to the desired page as shown on the Index.

 

Crown Court Bench Book

 

** Updated 13 October 2008

This update included amendments to the Direction listed below, as well as three new ones:

Section: 4:24 Warning regarding Defence Statements – updated

 

Section: 2:3A Specimen Counts – newly added

Section: 2:10A Attempts – newly added

Section: 4:25 Delay Direction – newly added