# Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 Amendment) (Miscellaneous) 2017, Note: Explanatory note


(This note is not part of the Act of Adjournal)
This Act of Adjournal amends the Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 (“the 1996 Rules”) to make changes further to the commencement of Parts 3 and 5 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).
Paragraph 2(2) removes references to judicial examination from the 1996 Rules as this procedure is abolished by the 2016 Act.
Paragraph 2(3)(a) provides for the lodging of a written record of the state of preparation by both the Crown and defence in sheriff court solemn cases. This is similar to existing practice in High Court cases.
Paragraph 2(3)(b) makes textual changes to rule 9.4 to reflect the fact the trial diet will now be appointed at the first diet.
Paragraph 2(4) amends rule 12.7 to reflect a change to the procedure for continuing a sheriff and jury trial from one day to the next up to a maximum of four days and makes provision for the relevant form to be used for this purpose.
Paragraph 2(5) amends rule 15.8 to reflect the fact that applications to extend certain time limits for appeals will be heard in chambers without the applicant being present unless the court directs otherwise.
Paragraph 2(6) amends rule 19B.1 to reflect the fact that the High Court no longer has power to reject a reference from the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission on the basis that it is not in the interests of justice to hear the appeal.
Paragraph 2(7) corrects a cross-referencing error in rule 20.23(2).
Paragraph 2(8)(a) to (i) amends various forms in the Appendix to the 1996 Rules to reflect the foregoing rule changes.
Paragraph 2(8)(j) amends Form 20.10A (form of non-harassment order) to reflect the fact that such an order can now be made even if an accused person is acquitted by reason of the special defence set out in section 51A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) or is found to be unfit for trial under section 53F of the 1995 Act.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2017/144/note (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/act-of-adjournal-criminal-procedure-rules-1996-amendment-miscellaneous-2017/note
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.