# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 15.7: Defendant’s application to use disclosed material

Extent: E+W

(1) This rule applies where a defendant wants the court’s permission to use disclosed prosecution material—
(a) otherwise than in connection with the case in which it was disclosed; or
(b) beyond the extent to which it was displayed or communicated publicly at a hearing.
(2) The defendant must serve an application on—
(a) the court officer; and
(b) the prosecutor.
(3) The application must—
(a) specify what the defendant wants to use or disclose; and
(b) explain why.
(4) The court may determine an application under this rule—
(a) at a hearing, in public or in private; or
(b) without a hearing.
(5) The court must not permit the use of such material unless—
(a) the prosecutor has had at least 20 business days in which to make representations; and
(b) the court is satisfied that it has been able to take adequate account of any rights of confidentiality that may apply to the material.
[Note. The court’s power to allow a defendant to use disclosed material is provided for by section 17 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.
See also section 19 of the 1996 Act.]

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/15.7 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-15.7/enacted
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.