Contents

Contents

Contents. 2

Foreword. 3

User guide. 4

Chapter 1: The principal statutory obligations and powers governing preliminary hearings  6

Chapter 2: Defence statements. 21

Chapter 3: Disclosure obligations and recovery of information. 25

Chapter 4: Time limits affecting preliminary hearings. 39

Chapter 5: Time bars and extensions. 44

Chapter 6: Judicial culture at preliminary hearing. 65

Chapter 7: Fitness for trial 86

Chapter 8: Vulnerable witnesses and evidence on commission. 91

Chapter 9: Section 274 and 275.