thumb|Crown Court and County Court in [[Oxford.]]

thumb|[[Reading Crown Court|Crown Court in Reading]]

The Crown Court is the criminal court of first instance in England and Wales responsible for hearing all indictable offences, some either way offences and appeals of the decisions of magistrates' courts. It is one of three Senior Courts of England and Wales.

The Crown Court sits in around 92 locations in England and Wales, divided into Circuits. When sitting in the City of London, it is known as the Central Criminal Court or "Old Bailey".

The Crown Court is administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice.

History

England and Wales formerly used a system of courts of assize and quarter sessions for indictment trials at first instance. However, the Beeching Commission in 1969 recommended the replacement of the assize system, following the model of the 'crown courts' introduced by the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1956 (4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. 34). in Liverpool and Manchester.

The current Crown Court was established on 1 January 1972 by the Courts Act 1971, establishing a unitary trial court for the whole jurisdiction.

With the merging of the various court services into what is now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, the Crown Court frequently shares facilities with the County Court and magistrates' courts.

Procedures

The Crown Court carries out four principal types of activity:

  • Trials by jury of indictable offences
  • Hearing appeals from magistrates' courts
  • Sentencing of defendants committed from magistrates' courts
  • Sentencing of those convicted in Crown Court

The average time from receipt by the Crown Court to completion was 177 days by the start of 2016.

Appeals from magistrates' courts

The Crown Court can hear appeals against conviction, sentence or both from those convicted in the magistrates' courts.

Under this procedure, the Crown Court has the power to confirm, reject or alter any part of a decision. It may impose any sentence within the powers of a magistrate.

In 2015 the Crown Court heard 11,348 appeals and the average waiting time was 8.8 weeks in 2015. This could be because:

  • The combination of convictions exceeds 12 months' custody
  • The conviction requires more than 12 months' custody

Committals may also arise from breaches of the terms of a Community Order or a suspended custodial sentence.

In 2015, the Crown Court dealt with 30,802 cases for sentencing from the magistrates' courts.

In all other cases, appeal from the Crown Court lies by way of case stated to a Divisional Court of the High Court.

People

Judges

The judges who normally sit in the Crown Court are High Court judges, circuit judges and recorders.

  • The most serious cases (treason, murder, rape etc.) may be allocated to High Court judges and senior circuit judges.
  • Appeals against conviction or sentence arising from the magistrates’ courts are normally heard by a circuit judge or a recorder sitting with one or two experienced magistrates.
  • The remainder of cases are dealt with by circuit judges and recorders, although recorders will normally handle less serious work than circuit judges.

Allocation of cases is conducted according to directions given by the Lord Chief Justice.

thumb|A Crown Court order by [[Circuit judge (England and Wales)|circuit judge Martin Griffith against the Foreign Secretary in regards to a certificate of immunity for Ankit Love and Jammu and Kashmir.]]

Advocates

Higher rights of audience are required to speak in the Crown Court. This means that only barristers, solicitor advocates, and some chartered legal executives can represent clients.

Solicitors may choose to attend hearings, but they are not able to speak directly.

Court staff

The court is primarily administered by the Clerk of Court, who wears a white collar/bib with bands and a black gown. They are assisted by the Court Usher, who is the only person that will move when the court is in session and will wear a gown over standard business dress.

Court dress

Court dress is almost always worn, although wigs may be removed during exceptional circumstances when directed by the judge – for example, when children are testifying.

Courtroom layout

thumb|Simplified layout of a typical Crown Court courtroom

There are several physical elements to a Crown Court. From the position of the defendant:

  • The judge sits on a large bench at the very back of the court. Above will be a Royal Coat of Arms.
  • In front of the judge will be the desk of the Clerk of Court, facing the court. There may also be a desk for the Usher here.