Commentary Definitions Section 16 – Preparatory hearings in terrorism cases
78.Under section 29 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c.25) (“the CPIA”) a judge has power to order a preparatory hearing in cases of such seriousness or complexity that substantial benefits are likely to accrue from such a hearing. A similar power to order preparatory hearings in cases of serious or complex fraud is in section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. The purpose of a preparatory hearing is to identify the material issues, assist the jury’s comprehension of those issues, expedite the proceedings before a jury, deal with questions of severance and joinder, and otherwise assist the trial judge’s management of the case. Section 16 amends the CPIA to make preparatory hearings mandatory in terrorism cases.