Committal proceedings and hearings

Question 1

What are committal proceedings

Answer 1

Committal proceedings are pre-trial hearings and processes heard in the magistrates court for indictable offences.

Question 2

What are committal hearings

Answer 2

A committal hearing is a hearing part of a committal proceeding. Here the Magistrate will decide if there is enough evidence to support a conviction for the offence charged.

Question 3

Purposes of committal proceedings

Answer 3

ensuring cases with inadequate evidence do not go to trial.

finding out whether the accused plans to plead guilty or not guilty.

ensuring a fair trial, through making sure the prosecution’s case is disclosed to the accused.

giving the accused an opportunity to put forward the case at an early stage and possibly cross-examine witnesses.