Explanatory note

These Regulations provide for the form of notice of transfer under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. That is the notice which is sent to a magistrates' court before the start of committal proceedings by or on behalf of a designated authority (as defined in that section, for example, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office) and which has the effect of transferring the case to the Crown Court. The Regulations require copies of the notice to be sent to the defendant, the Crown Court and (if the defendant is in custody) the prison governor.

The Regulations also provide for a form to be sent to the defendant informing him of the effect of the notice of transfer and seeking his consent to the exercise by the magistrates' court of certain powers in his absence. Copies of this form are required to be sent to the Crown Court and (if the defendant is in custody) the prison governor.