The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2006
These Rules add the following new provisions to the Criminal Procedure Rules 2005 (“the Rules”):A new Part 15 (preparatory hearings in cases of serious fraud and other complex, serious or lengthy cases in the Crown Court), in substitution for the existing Part 15, which makes provision for applications for preparatory hearings on the ground that the prosecutor wants the court to order that the trial be without a jury under sections 43 or 44 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.A new Part 18 (warrants), in substitution for the existing Part 18, which simplifies the existing rules on warrants.A new rule 39.2 (appeal against refusal to excuse from jury service or to defer attendance), which incorporates existing rule 25 of the Crown Court Rules 1982 into the Criminal Procedure Rules 2005.A new rule 57.15 (external requests and orders) which applies the rules in Parts 57, 59 to 61 and 71 to proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005.A new rule 65.11 (appeal against order following discharge of jury because of jury tampering), which applies Part 65 to appeals under section 47 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.