Appeals Flashcards
give a summary of the appeal route in the MC
Option 1:
1. Trial in MC
2. D appeals conviction/sentence to CC
3. P or D appealed CC decision to HC by way of case stated
4. HC decision appealed to SC court
Option 2:
1. Trial in MC
2. P or D appealed CC decision to HC by way of case stated
3. HC decision (re: point of law only) appealed to SC
give a summary of the appeal route in the CC
- Trial in CC
- D appeals to CoA (with leave of the court) or AG’s reference procedure
- CoA decision (re: point of law only) appealed to SC
re: appeals from MC to CC
what can D appeal against?
D convicted in MC (inc. youth court) can appeal as follows:
o G plea appeal against sentence
o NG plea appeal against conviction and/or sentence
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the basis of the appeal against conviction? What happens at the CC hearing?
- Basis of appeal against conviction error of fact and/or law
o Rehearing of the case in the CC. Old Ws to be called. New Ws and points of law can be relied upon.
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the basis of the appeal against sentence? What happens at the CC hearing?
- Basis of appeal against sentence it is excessive
o Rehearing of case in the CC and take independent view of correct sentence
re: appeals from MC to CC
who hears the appeal?
- Appeal heard by recorder or circuit judge with an even number of Mags
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the position regarding an appeal from P?
- P has no right of appeal to the CC (only HC by way of case stated)
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the procedure?
- D must file and serve notice of appeal (NOA) within 15 business days of the Mags passing sentence (NB: date of sentence, not date of conviction)
o If filed outside this time the CC can extend this time limit - MC will send the notice to the CC and who will arrange a hearing date
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the deadline to file an NOA? can this be extended?
- D must file and serve notice of appeal (NOA) within 15 business days of the Mags passing sentence (NB: date of sentence, not date of conviction)
o If filed outside this time the CC can extend this time limit
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the position regarding any representation order?
- If D’s case was funded by an RO, the original RO will cover advice and assistance in preparing the NOA, but a new RO will need to be obtained for the appeal hearing
re: appeals from MC to CC
what is the position regarding bail?
- If D is appealing a custodial sentence MC can grant bail, but there is no presumption in favour of bail. If refused, D can apply to CC for bail.
re: appeals from MC to CC
what power does the CC have?
- CC has the power to confirm, reverse or vary the decision
- CC can impose any sentence the MC could have imposed (i.e. they can impose a more serious sentence, but only up to max. limits of MC)
re: appeals from MC to CC
who can appeal CC’s decision and how?
- D and P can appeal the outcome to the HC by way of case stated
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what are common arguments?
o Court misread, misunderstood or misapplied the law;
o Court heard a case it did not have jurisdiction to;
o Court made errors re admissibility or otherwise of evidence;
o Court erred in their decision following a submission of no case to answer
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
who can appeal to HC and on what basis?
P or D can appeal a MC or CC appeal decision to HC by way of case stated if:
o The decision is wrong in law; or
o The court has acted outside its jurisdiction
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
explain ‘wrong’
court reached a decision no reasonable court would have come to on the material before it.
if D wants to appeal an MC decision, what is the best route for them?
whilst D can appeal to HC by way of case stated, often better to appeal to CC as quicker. Even if appeal to HC is successful, case will likely be sent back to MC for trial.
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what is the procedure?
- Must apply within 21 days of the date of the decision. Party will write to MC’s/CC’s clerk inc. an explanation of issue for review.
o this time limit cannot be extended for MC decisions, but can in the CC - If the application to state the case is granted, the MC (or application if it is a CC decision) draft a statement of case (SOC) which is sent to P & D for comment. This inc.:
o Decision in issue and question of law / jurisdiction for HC review
o Summary of: proceedings history; court’s findings of relevant facts; relevant contentions if parties
o If the issue is about whether there was sufficient evidence to reach a finding of fact, then details of the finding and summary of evidence used - Final version is sent to the application to lodge with the HC and give notice to the other party when this has been done
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what is the deadline for the application?
Must apply within 21 days of the date of the decision
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what information is included in the statement of case?
o Decision in issue and question of law / jurisdiction for HC review
o Summary of: proceedings history; court’s findings of relevant facts; relevant contentions if parties
o If the issue is about whether there was sufficient evidence to reach a finding of fact, then details of the finding and summary of evidence used
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
where is this case usually heard?
- Usually heard by Divisional Court of KBD
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what will happen at this hearing?
- No witness evidence and confined to legal argument based on SOC
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
what power does the court have?
The court can:
- reverse;
- vary;
- affirm;
- or remit back to the lower court with a direction to acquit, convict or be reheard (often inc. direction to remedy issue i.e. HC say previous inadmissible evidence is admissible in retrial)
re: appeals to HC by way of case stated
can this decision be appealed and how?
The decision can be appealed by P or D to the Supreme Court, but:
o Either the HC or SC will need to grant leave to appeal;
o The appeal can be on a point of law only; and
o The HC must certify it is a point of law of general public importance