{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-and-investigations-act-1996/section-21",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-and-investigations-act-1996/section-21.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1996/25",
  "legislation_title": "Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-and-investigations-act-1996",
  "path": "section/21",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "21",
  "heading": "Common law rules as to disclosure.",
  "text": "(1) Where this Part applies as regards things falling to be done after the relevant time in relation to an alleged offence, the rules of common law which—\n(a) were effective immediately before the appointed day, and\n(b) relate to the disclosure of material by the prosecutor,\ndo not apply as regards things falling to be done after that time in relation to the alleged offence.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the rules of common law as to whether disclosure is in the public interest.\n(3) References in subsection (1) to the relevant time are to the time when—\n(a) the accused pleads not guilty (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(1)),\n(b) the accused is committed for trial (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(a))\nthe accused is sent for trial (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(cc)),\n(c) the proceedings are transferred (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(b) or (c)),\n(d) the count is included in the indictment (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(d)), or\n(e) the bill of indictment is preferred (where this Part applies by virtue of section 1(2)(e)).\n(4) The reference in subsection (1) to the appointed day is to the day appointed under section 1(5).",
  "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 21(3)(b) substituted for s. 21(3)(b) (18.6.2012 for specified purposes, 5.11.2012 for specified purposes, 28.5.2013 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 66(5); S.I. 2012/1320, art. 4(1)(c)(2)(3) (with art. 5) (see S.I. 2012/2574, art. 4(2) and S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2012/2574, art. 2(2)(3)(c), Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (4.11.2012) by S.I. 2012/2761, art. 2) (with S.I. 2013/1103, art. 4); S.I. 2013/1103, art. 2(1)(c)(2)(3) (with arts. 3, 4)"
    },
    {
      "type": "E",
      "label": "E1",
      "text": "In its application to Northern Ireland, this section has effect subject to the modifications set out in Schedule 4; see s. 79"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/section/21",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:32:07.183739+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}