Pre-trial hearings can take place from today under Act commenced by Minister McEntee
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From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 28 February 2022
- Last updated on: 2 March 2022
- trial process for sexual offences, white collar crimes, organised crime and other complex offences to be significantly improved
- victims less likely to be subject to stressful delays after preparing themselves mentally for trial
- pre-trial hearings will also make it less likely juries are sent away during trial, making the court process faster and more efficient
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today commenced in full the Criminal Procedure Act 2021, following its enactment by the President on 24 May last year.
This Act will bring about changes in our courts system through the introduction of preliminary trial hearings and its commencement, together with the necessary rules of court drawn up by relevant courts, will allow pre trial hearings take place from today.
It will have a significant benefit to the trial processes for a range of offences. This includes sexual offences, where the impact on victims will be reduced as they are less likely to be subject to stressful delays after preparing themselves mentally for a trial.
It will also improve trials for while collar crimes, organised crime and other complex offences and will make it less likely juries are sent away during trial, making the court process faster and more efficient.
After signing the Commencement Order for the Criminal Procedure Act 2021, Minister McEntee said:
“I am pleased to be in a position to commence the Criminal Procedure Act 2021 today, which will allow for pre-trial hearings.
“Pre-trial hearings will reform the trial processes for a range of offences, such as in sexual offence cases, where victims will be less likely to experience court delays, which can often be a source of deep stress.
“Introduction of preliminary trial hearings is one of a number of recommendations of ‘Supporting a Victims Journey’, my plan to reform the criminal justice system for victims.
“I’m glad that I have been able to deliver on this recommendation which will help the trial process run more smoothly, and reduce stress for victims.”
Minister McEntee added:
“The introduction of pre-trial hearings were also a major recommendation of the Hamilton review of Economic Crime and Corruption, and they will help with white collar crime cases.
“Preliminary trial hearings will streamline processes in our courts, moving the administrative burden to the start of the trial.
“Potential issues will be identified and solved in advance, allowing trials to proceed on their scheduled date.
“Matters which would ultimately prevent a case being submitted to a jury will now be more likely to be identified in advance, and will avoiding the empanelling of a jury and subjection of a person to an unnecessary trial.
“A more streamlined trial approach will also reduce the incidence of juries being sent away after they are empanelled. This change will reduce the disruption that jury duty can have on a person’s life, as the trial will run more smoothly from start to finish.”