Publisher's Synopsis
In the last decade the law in relation to disclosure in criminal proceedings has changed dramatically. On April 1997 the disclosure provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 came into force. These provisions radically alter the common law rules, introducing a two-stage system of prosecution disclosure, defense disclosure and a code of practice dealing with the conduct of criminal investigations. As a result disclosure has become a complicated area for police officers, prosecutors abd defense practitioners alike. his book is not only a practical guide to the application of the new legislation, but also an in-depth examination of the intricacies of the old system, under which all cases started before April 1st 1997 will still be tried. This reference book will also explain how to apply the relevant rules and time limits, why material should be withheld from the accused and the rights and responsibilities of both the prosecution and defense.
