# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 21.2: Content of application or notice

Extent: E+W

(1) A party who wants to introduce evidence of bad character must—
(a) make an application under rule 21.3, where it is evidence of a non-defendant’s bad character; or
(b) give notice under rule 21.4, where it is evidence of a defendant’s bad character.
(2) An application or notice must—
(a) set out the facts of the misconduct on which that party relies,
(b) explain how that party will prove those facts (whether by certificate of conviction, other official record, or other evidence), if another party disputes them, and
(c) explain why the evidence is admissible.
[Note. The fact that a person was convicted of an offence may be proved under—
(a) section 73 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (conviction in the United Kingdom); or
(b) section 7 of the Evidence Act 1851 (conviction outside the United Kingdom).
See also sections 117 and 118 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (admissibility of evidence contained in business and other documents).
Under section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, a party may admit a matter of fact.]

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/21.2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-21.2/enacted
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.