The Lady Chief Justice has issued an amendment to the Criminal Practice Directions which comes into force on 22 July 2024. The matter was considered by the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee on 7 June 2024. The full amendment is available here and the text of the Criminal Practice Directions will be brought up to date with this amendment on 22 July 2024.

Expert Witnesses working under the Criminal Procedure Rules should be particularly aware of two changes:

(1) In paragraph 7.3.2(b) omit the words “and short reasons for”.
(2) In paragraph 7.3.5 for the first sentence substitute “A statement must be prepared by the experts dealing with paragraphs 7.3.2(a) – (d) above and giving reasons for the agreement or disagreement. Reasons should be succinct, especially on points about which experts agree.”

Experts should ensure that they comply with the new rules for any joint statements worked on, or submitted, from 22 July 2024.