# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 24.10: Application to withdraw a guilty plea

Extent: E+W

(1) This rule applies where the defendant wants to withdraw a guilty plea.
(2) The defendant must apply to do so—
(a) as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the reasons for doing so; and
(b) before sentence.
(3) Unless the court otherwise directs, the application must be in writing and the defendant must serve it on—
(a) the court officer; and
(b) the prosecutor.
(4) The application must—
(a) explain why it would be unjust not to allow the defendant to withdraw the guilty plea;
(b) identify—
(i) any witness that the defendant wants to call, and
(ii) any other proposed evidence; and
(c) say whether the defendant waives legal professional privilege, giving any relevant name and date.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/24.10 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-24.10
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.