Part 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act

1 Name of Act

This Act may be cited as the Criminal Appeal Act 1912.

s 1: Am 1969 No 60, sec 2 (2) (a); 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (1); 1999 No 31, Sch 5.29.

2 Definitions

2 Definitions

(1) In this Act, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise requires or indicates—

Conviction includes the following—

(a) a finding following an inquiry within the meaning of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 by a court that a person is unfit to be tried for an offence,

(b) a finding of a court following a special hearing referred to in section 59(1)(c) or (d) of that Act.

Court means the Court of Criminal Appeal established by this Act.

Court of trial means any court from whose finding, sentence, order, or other determination, a person is by this Act entitled to appeal or to apply for leave to appeal.

Indictment includes any information presented or filed as provided by law for the prosecution of offenders.

Prescribed means prescribed by rules of court made under the authority of this Act.

Registrar means the registrar of the court.

Sentence means—

(a) any order made by the court of trial on convicting a person of an offence, including—

(i) any sentence of imprisonment (including any sentence of imprisonment the subject of an intensive correction order and any sentence of imprisonment whose execution is suspended), and

(ii) any community correction order, conditional release order or community service order, and

(iii) any good behaviour bond, and

(iv) any fine,

imposed under Part 2 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, or

(b) any order made by the court of trial in respect of a person under section 10 or 11 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 on finding the person guilty of an offence, or

(c) any order made by the court of trial in respect of a person under section 12 or 17A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 on convicting the person of an offence, or

(ca) any order made by the court of trial, after a person’s conviction for an offence, revoking a good behaviour bond and any order made by the court of trial as a consequence of the revocation of the good behaviour bond, or

(d) any order made by the court of trial imposing a limiting term of imprisonment on a person following a special hearing under the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 and any other order or penalty made or imposed by the court of trial in respect of a person following a special hearing under that Act, or

(e) any order made by the court of trial in respect of a person following a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible, or

(f) any direction for compensation made by the court of trial in respect of a person under section 94 (Directions for compensation for injury) or 97 (Directions for compensation for loss) of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013, or

(g) any order for restitution made by the court of trial in respect of a person under section 43 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, or

(h) any order for the payment of costs made by the court of trial in respect of a person under Division 3 or 4 of Part 5 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, or

(i) any child protection registration order made under section 3D of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000, or

(j) (Repealed)

and the power of the Court of Criminal Appeal to pass any such sentence includes power to make any such order or direction.

Note.

Part 29 of Schedule 2 to the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 provides that certain home detention orders, community service orders and good behaviour bonds are taken to be intensive correction orders, community correction orders or conditional release orders.

Special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible has the same meaning as in the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020.

The appellant includes a person who has been convicted and desires to appeal under this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a sentence is imposed or passed on a person on conviction or on a finding of guilt even if it is imposed or passed after the conviction or finding of guilt or as a result of re-sentencing.

(3) For the purposes of this Act, a sentence imposed under Part 2 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 includes a provisional sentence and a final sentence within the meaning of Division 2A of Part 4 of that Act.

(4) (Repealed)

s 2: Am 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (1); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1; 1982 No 69, Sch 2; 1986 No 94, Sch 1 (1); 1989 No 102, Sch 1 (1); 1990 No 11, Sch 2; 1990 No 108, Sch 1; 1991 No 17, Sch 1; 1991 No 94, Sch 2; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [1] [2]; 2000 No 43, Sch 4; 2001 No 100, Sch 1.2; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [1] [2]; 2003 No 27, Sch 7 [1] [2]; 2004 No 55, Sch 1.9 [1]–[3]; 2004 No 85, Sch 2.2; 2005 No 67, Sch 2.2; 2006 No 107, Sch 1.10 [1]; 2008 No 79, Sch 3.7 [1]; 2010 No 48, Sch 5.8; 2012 No 67, Sch 4.2; 2013 No 7, Sch 2; 2013 No 37, Sch 3.7; 2013 No 85, Sch 2.1 [1]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.12 [1]; 2017 No 53, Sch 4.13 [1]–[3]; 2018 No 68, Sch 1.6; 2020 No 12, Sch 3.12[1]–[3].

Part 2 Court of Criminal Appeal

Part 2 Court of Criminal Appeal

3 Constitution of court

3 Constitution of court

(1) The Supreme Court shall for the purposes of this Act be the Court of Criminal Appeal, and the court shall be constituted by 3 or more Judges of the Supreme Court or in any other way provided by this Act.

(1AA) The Chief Justice is to make arrangements, subject to other provisions of this Act, for the transaction of the business of the court, including the constitution of the court for particular proceedings.

(1A) Without limiting subsection (1AA), the Chief Justice may (with the consent of the Chief Judge concerned) direct that the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court or the Chief Judge of the District Court (or both) act as Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeal in relation to proceedings of that Court.

(1B) The following provisions apply to and in respect of a Chief Judge who acts as a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal in relation to proceedings pursuant to a direction given by the Chief Justice under subsection (1A)—

(a) the Chief Judge is taken to be a Judge of the Supreme Court for the purposes of subsection (1),

(b) the Chief Judge has, while acting as a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal, all the powers, authorities, privileges and immunities of a Judge of the Supreme Court,

(c) the Chief Judge may attend the sittings of the Court of Criminal Appeal for the purpose of giving judgment in, or otherwise completing, any proceedings which have been heard by the Court while the Chief Judge was acting as a Judge of the Court even if the Chief Judge is no longer acting as a Judge of the Court,

(d) the Chief Judge is not, while receiving remuneration as a Chief Judge, entitled to remuneration for acting as a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal,

(e) any service of the Chief Judge while acting as a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal is, for the purposes of the Act under which the Chief Judge was appointed and the Judges’ Pensions Act 1953, taken to be service as the Chief Judge of the court concerned,

(f) nothing in this Act or any other law requires the Chief Judge to devote the whole of his or her time to the duties of acting as a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

(2) More than one sitting of the court may be held at the same time.

s 3: Am 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (1); 2008 No 53, Sch 10; 2020 No 31, Sch 1.7[1]–[3].

4 Registrar and officers of court

4 Registrar and officers of court

(1) A registrar and such other officers as may be required for carrying out this Act may be employed in the Public Service under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

(2) The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court is to be the first registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

(3) A registrar of the Supreme Court may, subject to the rules, exercise the powers of a registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal and, when exercising those powers, is taken to be a registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

(4) An officer of the Supreme Court may, subject to the rules, exercise the powers of an officer of the Court of Criminal Appeal and, when exercising those powers, is taken to be an officer of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

s 4: Subst 2005 No 31, Sch 4 [1]. Am 2017 No 22, Sch 4.6.

Part 3 Right of appeal and determination of appeals

Part 3 Right of appeal and determination of appeals

5 Right of appeal in criminal cases

5 Right of appeal in criminal cases

(1) A person convicted on indictment may appeal under this Act to the court—

(a) against the person’s conviction on any ground which involves a question of law alone, and

(b) with the leave of the court, or upon the certificate of the judge of the court of trial that it is a fit case for appeal against the person’s conviction on any ground of appeal which involves a question of fact alone, or question of mixed law and fact, or any other ground which appears to the court to be a sufficient ground of appeal, and

(c) with the leave of the court against the sentence passed on the person’s conviction.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person for whom a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible is entered is, if the defence of mental health impairment or cognitive impairment was not set up as a defence by the person, taken to be a person convicted and an order to keep the person in custody is taken to be a sentence.

s 5: Am 1986 No 94, Sch 1 (2); 2020 No 12, Sch 3.12[4].

5AA Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by courts in their summary jurisdictions

5AA Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by courts in their summary jurisdictions

(1) A person—

(a) convicted of an offence, or

(b) against whom an order to pay any costs is made, or whose application for an order for costs is dismissed, or

(c) in whose favour an order for costs is made,

by the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction may appeal under this Act to the Court of Criminal Appeal against the conviction (including any sentence imposed) or order.

(1A) An appeal against an order referred to in subsection (1) (c) may only be made with the leave of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person for whom a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible is entered is, if the defence of mental health impairment or cognitive impairment was not set up as a defence by the person, taken to be a person convicted and an order to keep the person in custody is taken to be a sentence.

(3), (3A) (Repealed)

(4) The Court of Criminal Appeal in proceedings before it on an appeal under this section may—

(a) confirm the determination made by the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction, or

(b) order that the determination made by the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction be vacated and—

(i) make any determination that the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction could have made on the evidence heard on appeal, or

(ii) order a new trial in such manner as the Court of Criminal Appeal thinks fit.

(5) Section 7 (4) applies to an appellant on an appeal under subsection (1) in the same way as it applies to an appellant on an appeal under section 5 (1).

(6) Provisions shall be made by rules of court for detaining an appellant on an appeal under subsection (1) who has been sentenced to imprisonment until the appeal has been determined, or for ordering the appellant into any former custody.

(7) This section applies to and in respect of the District Court in its summary jurisdiction in the same way as it applies to and in respect of the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.

s 5AA: Ins 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (2). Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (1A) (ins 1979 No 97, sec 5 (a)); 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (2); 1999 No 94, Sch 4.97 [1]; 2000 No 31, Sch 3 [1]; 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [1]–[3]; 2011 No 67, Sch 4.5 [1]; 2017 No 40, Sch 1.7; 2020 No 12, Sch 3.12[5].

5AB Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction

5AB Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction

Section 5AA applies to and in respect of a person—

(a) convicted of an offence, or

(b) against whom an order to pay costs is made, or whose application for an order for costs is dismissed, or

(c) in whose favour an order for costs is made,

by the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction in the same way as it applies to a person referred to in section 5AA (1), and, for the purposes of this section, a reference in section 5AA to the Supreme Court shall be read and construed as a reference to the Land and Environment Court.

s 5AB: Ins 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1. Am 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [4] [5].

5ABA

5ABA (Repealed)

5AC Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Court of Coal Mines Regulation in its summary jurisdiction

5AC Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Court of Coal Mines Regulation in its summary jurisdiction

Section 5AA applies to and in respect of a person—

(a) convicted of an offence, or

(b) against whom an order to pay costs is made, or whose application for an order for costs is dismissed, or

(c) in whose favour an order for costs is made,

by a Court of Coal Mines Regulation in its summary jurisdiction in the same way as it applies to a person referred to in section 5AA (1), and, for the purposes of this section, a reference in section 5AA to the Supreme Court shall be read and construed as a reference to a Court of Coal Mines Regulation.

s 5AC: Ins 1982 No 69, Sch 2. Am 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [6] [7].

5AD Appeals as to related or back up summary offences in criminal cases dealt with by the Supreme Court or the District Court

5AD Appeals as to related or back up summary offences in criminal cases dealt with by the Supreme Court or the District Court

(1) Section 5AA applies to and in respect of a person convicted of an offence by the Supreme Court or District Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Division 7 of Part 3 of Chapter 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 in the same way as it applies to a person referred to in section 5AA (1).

(2) For the purposes of this section, a reference in section 5AA to the Supreme Court is to be construed as including a reference to the District Court.

(3) The power of the Court of Criminal Appeal to hear and determine an appeal under this section is to be exercised by such single judge of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct unless—

(a) the judge considers that the appeal should be dealt with by the full court and notifies the Chief Justice accordingly, or

(b) an appeal is lodged under this Act in relation to the related indictable offence.

s 5AD: Ins 1990 No 74, Sch 3. Am 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [3]; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [3].

5AE Point of law stated during summary proceedings

5AE Point of law stated during summary proceedings

(1) At any time before the completion of proceedings before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction, the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction, the District Court in its summary jurisdiction or a Court of Coal Mines Regulation in its summary jurisdiction, the judge hearing the proceedings may, or if requested by the Crown must, submit any question of law arising at or in reference to the proceedings to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination.

(2) The Court of Criminal Appeal may make any such order or give any such direction to the court concerned as it thinks fit.

s 5AE: Ins 1998 No 53, Sch 4 [1]. Am 2011 No 67, Sch 4.5 [2]; 2013 No 85, Sch 2.1 [3]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.12 [3].

5AF Appeals by offenders against sentences imposed by the Drug Court

5AF Appeals by offenders against sentences imposed by the Drug Court

(1) Section 5AA applies to and in respect of a person sentenced by the Drug Court in relation to a sentence imposed by the Drug Court—

(a) in the exercise of its jurisdiction under section 7D, 7E or 12 of the Drug Court Act 1998, or

(b) in the exercise under section 24 (1) (a) of the Drug Court Act 1998 of the criminal jurisdiction of the District Court, or

(c) in the exercise under section 24 (1) (b) of the Drug Court Act 1998 of the criminal jurisdiction of the Local Court,

in the same way as it applies to a person referred to in section 5AA (1).

(2) For the purposes of this section, a reference in section 5AA to the Supreme Court is to be construed as including a reference to the Drug Court.

(3) The power of the Court of Criminal Appeal to hear and determine an appeal under this section is to be exercised—

(a) in relation to an appeal against a sentence for an indictable offence—by such 2 or 3 judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct, or

(b) in relation to an appeal against a sentence for a summary offence—by such single judge of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct unless the judge, on the application of either party or of his or her own motion, considers that the appeal raises matters of principle or it is otherwise in the interests of justice for the appeal to be dealt with by the full Court of Criminal Appeal and notifies the Chief Justice accordingly, in which case the appeal is to be heard and determined by such 3 or more judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct.

(4) Despite section 12 (4) of the Drug Court Act 1998, on an appeal against a final sentence imposed by the Drug Court under section 12 of that Act, the Court of Criminal Appeal may pass a more severe sentence than the initial sentence imposed on the relevant offender under section 7A or 7B of that Act.

s 5AF (previously s 5AE): Ins 1998 No 150, Sch 1.3 [1]. Renumbered 1999 No 31, Sch 2.10 [1]. Subst 2006 No 107, Sch 1.10 [2]. Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2 (am 2008 No 107, Sch 21 [2]); 2008 No 107, Sch 6 [1]–[3].

5AG Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session

5AG Appeal in criminal cases dealt with by Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session

(1) A person convicted of an offence by the Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session may appeal under this Act to the Court of Criminal Appeal against—

(a) the person’s conviction, and

(b) if a sentence to a term of imprisonment was imposed—the sentence passed on the person’s conviction.

(2) A person may not appeal under this section to the Court of Criminal Appeal unless the person has first exercised any right the person has to appeal to the Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session under the Industrial Relations Act 1996.

(3) The Court of Criminal Appeal, in proceedings before it on an appeal under this section, may—

(a) confirm the determination made by the Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session, or

(b) order that the determination made by the Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session be vacated and make a determination that the Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission in Court Session could have made.

(4) This section has effect despite the Industrial Relations Act 1996, section 179.

s 5AG: Ins 2005 No 34, Sch 2. Am 2013 No 85, Sch 2.1 [4]. Rep 2016 No 48, Sch 2.12 [4]. Ins 2023 No 41, Sch 2.12.

5A Point of law stated by judge

5A Point of law stated by judge

(1) The judge before whom any person is tried and convicted on indictment may submit any question of law arising at or in reference to such trial or conviction to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination, and such submission shall be dealt with as if it were an appeal under section 5.

(1A)–(3) (Repealed)

s 5A: Ins 1924 No 10, sec 32. Am 1951 No 31, sec 7 (a); 1974 No 50, sec 16 (a); 1975 No 1, sec 5 (a); 1977 No 114, sec 2; 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (3); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1; 1982 No 69, Sch 2; 1986 No 211, Sch 1 (1); 1998 No 53, Sch 4 [2] [3]; 2005 No 98, Sch 3.19 [1] [2]; 2006 No 69, Sch 2.2 [1].

5B Case stated from District Court

5B Case stated from District Court

(1) A Judge of the District Court may submit any question of law arising on any appeal to the District Court in its criminal and special jurisdiction coming before the Judge to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination, and the Court of Criminal Appeal may make any such order or give any such direction to the District Court as it thinks fit.

(2) At the request of a person who was a party to appeal proceedings referred to in subsection (1), a question of law may be submitted under that subsection to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination even though the appeal proceedings during which the question arose have been disposed of. The question of law must be submitted not later than 28 days after the end of the appeal proceedings, or within such longer period as the Court of Criminal Appeal may allow.

(3) The Court of Criminal Appeal may, in connection with the determination of a question of law in the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), quash any acquittal, conviction or sentence of the District Court on the appeal to the District Court.

s 5B: Ins 1924 No 10, sec 33. Am 1929 No 2, sec 17; 1939 No 17, sec 176; 1951 No 31, sec 7 (b); 1975 No 1, sec 5 (b); 1998 No 137, Sch 2.8 [1]; 2006 No 69, Sch 2.2 [2].

5BA Case stated from Land and Environment Court

5BA Case stated from Land and Environment Court

(1) A Judge of the Land and Environment Court may submit any question of law arising on any appeal to the Land and Environment Court in its environmental offences appeals jurisdiction coming before the Judge to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination, and the Court of Criminal Appeal may make any such order or give any such direction to the Land and Environment Court as it thinks fit.

(2) At the request of a person who was the appellant in an appeal referred to in subsection (1), a question of law may be submitted under that subsection to the Court of Criminal Appeal for determination even though the appeal proceedings during which the question arose have been disposed of. The question of law must be submitted not later than 28 days after the end of the appeal proceedings, or within such longer period as the Court of Criminal Appeal may allow.

s 5BA: Ins 1990 No 84, Sch 2. Am 1998 No 137, Sch 2.8 [2].

5BB

5BB (Repealed)

5C Appeal against quashing of an indictment

5C Appeal against quashing of an indictment

Where the Supreme Court or the District Court has quashed any information or indictment or any count thereof or the Supreme Court or District Court in its summary jurisdiction, in any proceedings to which the Crown was a party, has quashed any application made under section 246 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 or any charge specified in such an application, or the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction, in any proceedings to which the Crown was a party, has quashed any application made under section 41 (1) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 or any charge specified in such an application, the Attorney-General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against the order made, and such court may thereupon determine the appeal and if the appeal is sustained may make such order for the prosecution of the trial as may be necessary.

s 5C: Ins 1924 No 10, sec 33. Am 1975 No 1, sec 5 (c); 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (4); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1, 1982 No 69, Sch 2; 1986 No 211, Sch 1 (2), (3); 1987 No 251, Sch 1 (1); 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [4]; 2002 No 129, Sch 2.4 [2] (am 2007 No 27, Sch 2.10 [3]); 2011 No 67, Sch 4.5 [3].

5D Appeal by Crown against sentence

5D Appeal by Crown against sentence

(1) The Attorney-General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against any sentence pronounced by the court of trial in any proceedings to which the Crown was a party and the Court of Criminal Appeal may in its discretion vary the sentence and impose such sentence as to the said court may seem proper.

(1A) The Environment Protection Authority may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against any sentence pronounced by the Supreme Court or the Land and Environment Court in any proceedings for an environmental offence (otherwise than on an appeal), if those proceedings have been instituted or carried on by, or on behalf of, the Environment Protection Authority. The Court of Criminal Appeal may impose such sentence as to it may seem proper.

(1B) A relevant regulator may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against a sentence imposed by the Supreme Court or the District Court in proceedings, other than appeals, for a work health and safety offence if the proceedings were started or carried on by the relevant regulator.

(1BA) The Natural Resources Access Regulator may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against a sentence imposed by the Land and Environment Court in proceedings for a natural resources management offence, other than on an appeal, if the proceedings have been instituted or carried on by or on behalf of the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

(1C) If the Court of Criminal Appeal allows an appeal under subsection (1B) or (1BA), the Court may impose a sentence it considers appropriate.

(2) In this section, a reference to proceedings to which the Crown was a party includes a reference to proceedings instituted by or on behalf of—

(a) the Crown, or

(b) an entity within the meaning of the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (or an entity belonging to a class) prescribed by the regulations to be an authority for the purposes of this section,

or by an officer or employee of such an authority acting in the course of his or her employment.

(2A) In this section, a reference to an environmental offence is a reference to an offence against the environment protection legislation as defined in the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.

(2B) In this section—

Natural Resources Access Regulator means the Natural Resources Access Regulator constituted by the Natural Resources Access Regulator Act 2017, section 4.

natural resources management offence means an offence under the natural resources management legislation, within the meaning of the Natural Resources Access Regulator Act 2017.

relevant regulator means—

(a) the NSW Resources Regulator, within the meaning of the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013, or

(b) SafeWork NSW.

work health and safety offence means an offence under—

(a) the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, or

(b) the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013.

(3) This section does not apply to an appeal referred to in section 5DA or 5DC.

s 5D: Ins 1924 No 10, sec 33. Am 1975 No 1, sec 5 (d); 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (5); 1986 No 211, Sch 1 (4); 1989 No 226, Sch 1; 1992 No 2, Sch 3 (1); 1998 No 49, Sch 6 [1] [2]; 2006 No 107, Sch 1.10 [3]; 2018 No 70, Sch 4.21; 2024 No 3, Sch 4[1] [2]; 2025 No 70, Sch 5.2[1]–[3].

5DA Appeal by Crown against reduced sentence for assistance to authorities

5DA Appeal by Crown against reduced sentence for assistance to authorities

(1) The Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against any sentence imposed on a person that was reduced because the person undertook to assist law enforcement authorities if the person fails wholly or partly to fulfil the undertaking.

(2) On an appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal may, if it is satisfied that the person has failed wholly or partly to fulfil the undertaking, vary the sentence and impose such sentence as it thinks fit.

(3) A reference in subsection (1) to a sentence imposed on a person includes a reference to a sentence that was varied or imposed by the Court of Criminal Appeal or varied or imposed by the District Court on appeal from the Local Court or the Children’s Court.

s 5DA: Ins 1992 No 2, Sch 3 (2). Am 1998 No 149, Sch 2.3 [1]; 2018 No 87, Sch 1.14.

5DB Appeals by Crown against sentences for related or back up summary offences in criminal cases dealt with by Supreme Court or District Court

5DB Appeals by Crown against sentences for related or back up summary offences in criminal cases dealt with by Supreme Court or District Court

(1) The Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against any sentence imposed by the Supreme Court or District Court on the conviction of a person for an offence in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Division 7 of Part 3 of Chapter 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986.

(2) The Court of Criminal Appeal may, in its discretion, do any one or more of the following—

(a) confirm, quash, set aside or vary the sentence,

(b) impose such sentence as to the Court of Criminal Appeal may seem proper,

(c) exercise, by order, any power that the Supreme Court or District Court might have exercised.

(3) Any sentence varied or imposed, or any order made, by the Court of Criminal Appeal under this section is to have the same effect and be enforced in the same manner as if it had been imposed by the Supreme Court or District Court.

(4) The Court of Criminal Appeal may not—

(a) vary a sentence so that the sentence as varied could not have been imposed by the Supreme Court or District Court, or

(b) impose a sentence that could not have been imposed by the Supreme Court or District Court,

as the case may be.

(5) The power of the Court of Criminal Appeal to hear and determine an appeal under this section is to be exercised by such single judge of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct unless—

(a) the judge considers that the appeal should be dealt with by 2 or more judges and notifies the Chief Justice accordingly, or

(b) an appeal is lodged under this Act in relation to the related indictable offence.

(6) On an appeal under this section against a sentence, new evidence or information may be given with the leave of the Court of Criminal Appeal. However new evidence or information may be given by the prosecution only in exceptional circumstances.

(7) Except as provided by subsection (6), nothing in this section limits section 12.

s 5DB: Ins 1997 No 85, Sch 1.3 [1]. Am 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [3]; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [5]; 2019 No 20, Sch 1.9[1].

5DC Appeals by Crown against sentences imposed by Drug Court

5DC Appeals by Crown against sentences imposed by Drug Court

(1) The Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against a sentence imposed by the Drug Court—

(a) in the exercise of its jurisdiction under section 7D, 7E or 12 of the Drug Court Act 1998, or

(b) in the exercise under section 24 (1) (a) of the Drug Court Act 1998 of the criminal jurisdiction of the District Court, or

(c) in the exercise under section 24 (1) (b) of the Drug Court Act 1998 of the criminal jurisdiction of the Local Court.

(2) The power of the Court of Criminal Appeal to hear and determine an appeal under this section is to be exercised—

(a) in relation to an appeal against a sentence for an indictable offence—by such 3 judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct, or

(b) in relation to an appeal against a sentence for a summary offence—by such single judge of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct unless the judge, on the application of either party or of his or her own motion, considers that the appeal raises matters of principle or it is otherwise in the interests of justice for the appeal to be dealt with by the full Court of Criminal Appeal and notifies the Chief Justice accordingly, in which case the appeal is to be heard and determined by such 3 or more judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice may direct.

(3) Despite section 12 (4) of the Drug Court Act 1998, on an appeal against a final sentence imposed by the Drug Court under section 12 of that Act, the Court of Criminal Appeal on appeal may pass a more severe sentence than the initial sentence imposed on the relevant offender under section 7A or 7B of that Act.

(4) The Court of Criminal Appeal may, in its discretion, do any one or more of the following—

(a) confirm, quash, set aside or vary the sentence,

(b) impose such sentence as the Court of Criminal Appeal may seem proper,

(c) exercise, by order, any power that the Drug Court might have exercised.

(5) Any sentence varied or imposed, or any order made, by the Court of Criminal Appeal under this section is to have the same effect and be enforced in the same manner as if it had been imposed by the Drug Court.

(6) On an appeal under this section against a sentence, new evidence or information may be given with the leave of the Court of Criminal Appeal. However, new evidence or information may be given by the prosecution only in exceptional circumstances.

(7) Except as provided by subsection (6), nothing in this section limits section 12.

s 5DC: Ins 2006 No 107, Sch 1.10 [4]. Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2 (am 2008 No 107, Sch 21 [2]); 2008 No 107, Sch 6 [4]–[6].

5E Appeal by any person pronounced an habitual criminal

5E Appeal by any person pronounced an habitual criminal

Any person who—

(a) is pronounced to be an habitual criminal under the provisions of the Habitual Criminals Act 1957 and is sentenced under the provisions of that Act, may, by leave of the court, appeal against such pronouncement and sentence, or

(b) is an habitual criminal and is sentenced under the provisions of subsection (5) of section 8 of that Act, may, by leave of the court, appeal against such sentence,

and the provisions of this Act applicable to an appeal against a sentence passed on a conviction on indictment shall apply to such an appeal.

s 5E: Ins 1929 No 2, sec 18. Subst 1957 No 19, sec 12 (1).

5F Appeal against interlocutory judgment or order

5F Appeal against interlocutory judgment or order

(1) This section applies to—

(a) proceedings (including committal proceedings) for the prosecution of offenders on indictment in the Supreme Court or in the District Court, and

(b) proceedings under sections 97 and 99 and Division 9 of Part 2 of Chapter 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, and

(c) proceedings in Class 5 of the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction (as referred to in section 21 of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979).

(2) The Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against an interlocutory judgment or order given or made in proceedings to which this section applies.

(3) Any other party to proceedings to which this section applies may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against an interlocutory judgment or order given or made in the proceedings—

(a) if the Court of Criminal Appeal gives leave to appeal, or

(b) if the judge of the court of trial certifies that the judgment or order is a proper one for determination on appeal.

(3AA) A person who is not a party to proceedings to which this section applies may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against a decision in those proceedings to grant leave under Division 2 of Part 5 of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 or a determination in those proceedings that a document or evidence does not contain a protected confidence within the meaning of that Division, if the person is—

(a) a person who, because of the leave, is required to produce a document or adduce evidence that contains a protected confidence, or

(b) a protected confider in relation to a protected confidence that may be produced or adduced because of the leave, or

(c) a person who claims the document or evidence does, despite the determination, contain a protected confidence in relation to which the person is a protected confider.

(3AB) An appeal under subsection (3AA) may be made whether or not an appeal has been made by a party to the proceedings, but only if—

(a) the Court of Criminal Appeal gives leave to appeal, or

(b) the judge of the court of trial certifies that the decision is a proper one for determination on appeal.

(3A) The Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against any decision or ruling on the admissibility of evidence, but only if the decision or ruling eliminates or substantially weakens the prosecution’s case.

(4) An appeal under this section shall, unless the Court of Criminal Appeal gives leave to adduce fresh, additional or substituted evidence, be determined on the evidence (if any) given in the proceedings to which the appeal relates.

(5) The Court of Criminal Appeal—

(a) may affirm or vacate the judgment, order, decision or ruling appealed against, and

(b) if it vacates the judgment, order, decision or ruling, may give or make some other judgment, order, decision or ruling instead of the judgment, order, decision or ruling appealed against.

(6) If leave to appeal under this section is refused by the Court of Criminal Appeal, the refusal does not preclude any other appeal following a conviction on the matter to which the refused application for leave to appeal related.

(7) A person may not appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal under this section against an interlocutory judgment or order if the person has instituted an appeal against the interlocutory judgment or order to the Supreme Court under Part 5 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001.

s 5F: Ins 1987 No 251, Sch 1 (2). Am 1988 No 20, Sch 3; 1999 No 39, Sch 1; 2000 No 31, Sch 3 [2]; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [6]–[8]; 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [8] [9]; 2010 No 135, Sch 11 [1]; 2015 No 15, Sch 2.13; 2017 No 55, Sch 3.3; 2025 No 61, Sch 2.29[1].

5G Appeal against discharge of whole jury

5G Appeal against discharge of whole jury

(1) The Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions or any other party to a trial of criminal proceedings before a jury may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal for review of any decision by the court to discharge the jury, but only with the leave of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

(2) The Court of Criminal Appeal is to deal with an appeal as soon as possible after the application for leave to appeal is lodged.

(3) The Court of Criminal Appeal—

(a) may affirm or vacate the decision appealed against, and

(b) if it vacates the decision, may make some other decision instead of the decision appealed against.

(4) If leave to appeal under this section is refused by the Court of Criminal Appeal, the refusal does not preclude any other appeal following a conviction on the matter to which the refused application for leave to appeal related.

(5) This section does not apply to the discharge of a jury under section 51, 55E, 56 or 58 of the Jury Act 1977.

s 5G: Ins 2008 No 24, Sch 2 [1].

6 Determination of appeals in ordinary cases

6 Determination of appeals in ordinary cases

(1) The court on any appeal under section 5 (1) against conviction shall allow the appeal if it is of opinion that the verdict of the jury should be set aside on the ground that it is unreasonable, or cannot be supported, having regard to the evidence, or that the judgment of the court of trial should be set aside on the ground of the wrong decision of any question of law, or that on any other ground whatsoever there was a miscarriage of justice, and in any other case shall dismiss the appeal; provided that the court may, notwithstanding that it is of opinion that the point or points raised by the appeal might be decided in favour of the appellant, dismiss the appeal if it considers that no substantial miscarriage of justice has actually occurred.

(2) Subject to the special provisions of this Act, the court shall, if it allows an appeal under section 5 (1) against conviction, quash the conviction and direct a judgment and verdict of acquittal to be entered.

(3) On an appeal under section 5 (1) against a sentence, the court, if it is of opinion that some other sentence, whether more or less severe is warranted in law and should have been passed, shall quash the sentence and pass such other sentence in substitution therefor, and in any other case shall dismiss the appeal.

s 6: Am 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (6).

6AA Appeal against sentence may be heard by 2 judges

6AA Appeal against sentence may be heard by 2 judges

(1) The Chief Justice may direct that proceedings under this Act on an appeal (including proceedings on an application for leave to appeal) against a sentence be heard and determined by such 2 judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice directs.

(2) Such a direction may only be given if the Chief Justice is of the opinion that the appeal is not likely to require the resolution of a disputed issue of general principle.

(3) For the purposes of proceedings the subject of a direction under this section, the Court of Criminal Appeal is constituted by the 2 judges directed by the Chief Justice.

(4) The decision of the court when constituted by 2 judges is to be in accordance with the opinion of those judges.

(5) If the judges are divided in opinion—

(a) as to the decision determining the proceedings, the proceedings are to be reheard and determined by the court constituted by such 3 judges as the Chief Justice directs (including, if practicable, the 2 judges who first heard the proceedings on appeal), or

(b) as to any other decision, the decision of the court is to be in accordance with the opinion of the senior judge present.

(6) Proceedings heard by the court constituted by 2 judges under this section are rendered abortive for the purposes of section 6A (1) (a1) of the Suitors’ Fund Act 1951 if they are required to be reheard because the judges were divided in opinion as to the decision determining the proceedings. The rehearing of the proceedings is considered to be a new trial for the purposes of that Act.

s 6AA: Ins 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (3).

6A Powers of court in relation to certain convictions and sentences concerning mentally ill persons

6A Powers of court in relation to certain convictions and sentences concerning mentally ill persons

On an appeal under section 5 (1) against a conviction or sentence, being—

(a) a finding following an inquiry within the meaning of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 by a court that a person is unfit to be tried for an offence, or

(b) a finding of a court referred to in section 59(1)(c) or (d) of that Act in respect of a person, or

(c) any order made by the court of trial imposing a limiting term of imprisonment on a person following a special hearing under that Act and any other order or penalty made or imposed by the court of trial in respect of a person following a special hearing under that Act, or

(d) any order made by the court of trial in respect of a person following a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible,

the court may make any finding, verdict, order or determination which could have been made in relation to the proceedings before the court of trial.

s 6A: Ins 1986 No 94, Sch 1 (3). Am 1989 No 102, Sch 1 (2). Subst 1990 No 11, Sch 2. Am 2008 No 79, Sch 3.7 [2]; 2020 No 12, Sch 3.12[6].

7 Powers of court in special cases

7 Powers of court in special cases

(1) If it appears to the court that an appellant on an appeal under section 5 (1), though not properly convicted on some count or part of the indictment, has been properly convicted on some other count or part of the indictment, the court may either affirm the sentence passed at the trial or pass such sentence whether more or less severe in substitution therefor as it thinks proper, and as may be warranted in law by the conviction on the count or part of the indictment on which it considers the appellant has been properly convicted.

(1A) If on an appeal against a sentence under section 5 (1), 5D, 5DA or 5DB, the court quashes or varies the sentence passed at trial on any count or part of an indictment, the court may quash or vary any other sentence passed at the trial—

(a) in relation to any offence charged in any other count or part of the same indictment, or

(b) in relation to any offence charged in any count or part of any other indictment, or

(c) in relation to any offence dealt with under section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, or

(d) in relation to any back up offence or related offence dealt with under section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986,

and pass such sentence, whether more or less severe, in substitution for the other sentence as the court thinks proper, and as may be warranted in law, in respect of the offence.

(2) Where an appellant has been convicted of an offence, and the jury could on the indictment have found the appellant guilty of some other offence, and on the finding of the jury it appears to the court that the jury must have been satisfied of facts which proved the appellant guilty of that other offence, the court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the verdict found by the jury a verdict of guilty of that other offence, and pass such sentence in substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be warranted in law for that other offence, not being a sentence of greater severity.

(3) Where on the conviction of the appellant the jury have found a special verdict, and the court considers that a wrong conclusion has been arrived at by the court of trial on the effect of that verdict, the court may, instead of allowing the appeal, order such conclusion to be recorded as appears to the court to be in law required by the verdict, and pass such sentence whether more or less severe, in substitution for the sentence passed, as may be warranted in law.

(4) If, on any appeal, it appears to the court that, although the appellant committed the act or made the omission charged against the appellant, a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible should have been entered in respect of the appellant, the court may quash the conviction and sentence passed at the trial and order that the appellant be detained in strict custody in such place and in such manner as the court thinks fit until released by due process of law or may make such other order (including an order releasing the appellant from custody, either unconditionally or subject to conditions) as the court considers appropriate.

s 7: Am 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (7); 1986 No 94, Sch 1 (4); 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [1]; 2003 No 27, Sch 7 [3]; 2004 No 11, Sch 6; 2020 No 12, Sch 3.12[7].

8 Power of court to grant new trial

8 Power of court to grant new trial

(1) On an appeal against a conviction on indictment, the court may, either of its own motion, or on the application of the appellant, order a new trial in such manner as it thinks fit, if the court considers that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, and, that having regard to all the circumstances, such miscarriage of justice can be more adequately remedied by an order for a new trial than by any other order which the court is empowered to make.

(2) Provision shall be made by rules of court for detaining the appellant until the fresh trial has terminated, or for ordering the appellant into any former custody.

s 8: Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (2).

8A Power of court to order committal proceedings to be continued in certain cases

8A Power of court to order committal proceedings to be continued in certain cases

(1) Where a person deemed to be convicted on indictment under section 102(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, appeals to the court against the conviction, the court may, either of its own motion, or on the application of the appellant, order that the proceedings before the Judge of the Local Court at which the appellant pleaded guilty be continued at a time and place to be specified in the order, if the court considers that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, and, that having regard to all the circumstances, the miscarriage of justice can be more adequately remedied by an order that those proceedings be so continued than by any other order which the court is empowered to make.

(2) Where an order is made under subsection (1), the proceedings before the Judge of the Local Court shall be continued in all respects as if the appellant had not pleaded guilty and as if those proceedings had been adjourned by the judge to the time and place specified in the order.

Upon the making of the order, the court may, subject to the Bail Act 2013, exercise any power that the Judge of the Local Court might have exercised under section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, if the order had been an order made by the judge adjourning the proceedings to the time and place so specified, and the provisions of section 41 of that Act apply to and in respect of the appellant.

(3) The powers conferred on the court by this section are in addition to any other power conferred on the court by this Act.

s 8A: Ins 1958 No 25, sec 3 (1). Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (3); 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [9]–[12]; 2014 No 5, Sch 2.14; 2020 No 30, Sch 2.11; 2025 No 61, Sch 2.29[2]–[4].

9 Revesting and restitution of property

9 Revesting and restitution of property

(1) The operation of any order for the restitution of any property, or for the payment of compensation to an aggrieved person, made by the court of trial shall (unless such court directs to the contrary in any case in which in its opinion the title to the property is not in dispute) be suspended—

(a) until the expiration of the time provided by this Act for giving the court notice of intention to appeal or to apply for leave to appeal, and

(b) if the notice is given within that time, until the determination of the appeal or the refusal of the application (or until the expiration of any time prescribed by the rules of court for making the appeal or application after the giving of the notice),

and in cases where the operation of any such order is suspended until the determination of the appeal, the order shall not take effect as to the property in question if the conviction is quashed on appeal, except by the special order of the court.

(2) The court may annul or vary any such order although the conviction is not quashed.

(3) The court or a judge thereof may give such directions as the court or judge thinks fit for the custody of any such property pending the suspension of any such order.

(4) Where a direction for the payment of compensation is given under section 71 or 77B of the Victims Compensation Act 1996 against any person in respect of an offence taken into account under Division 3 of Part 3 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 in passing sentence—

(a) the operation of the direction shall be suspended until the expiration of the time provided for appealing to the court, and

(b) where notice of appeal or of application for leave to appeal is given within the time provided, the operation of the direction shall be suspended until the determination of the appeal or refusal of the application,

and in cases where the operation of any such direction is suspended until the determination of the appeal, the direction shall not take effect if the conviction for the offence or, if more than one, all the offences, of which that person was convicted in the proceedings in which the direction was given, is quashed on appeal, except by the special order of the court.

(5) Where a direction for the payment of compensation is given under section 71 or 77B of the Victims Compensation Act 1996 against any person in respect of an offence taken into account under Division 3 of Part 3 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 in passing sentence, the court may annul or vary any such direction although the conviction for the offence or, if more than one, all the offences, of which that person was convicted in the proceedings in which the direction was given is not quashed on appeal.

s 9: Am 1974 No 50, sec 16 (b); GG No 105 of 19.7.1985, p 3665; 1987 No 238, Sch 1; 1998 No 54, Sch 2.7 [1] [2]; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [4] [5]; 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [2].

Part 4 Procedure

Part 4 Procedure

10 Method and time for making appeal

10 Method and time for making appeal

(1) The following provisions apply to an appeal, or application for leave to appeal, under this Act against a person’s conviction or sentence—

(a) The person is required to give the court, in accordance with the rules of court, notice of intention to appeal, or notice of intention to apply for leave to appeal, within 28 days after the conviction or sentence.

(b) The court may, at any time, extend the time within which the notice under paragraph (a) is required to be given to the court or, if the rules of court so permit, dispense with the requirement for such a notice.

(c) The appeal, or application for leave to appeal, is to be made in accordance with the rules of court, which may include—

(i) provision with respect to any statement of grounds of appeal, transcripts, exhibits or other documents or things to accompany the appeal or application, and

(ii) provision with respect to the timely institution and prosecution of the appeal or application, and

(iii) provision with respect to the period during which the notice under paragraph (a) has effect.

(2) For the purposes of any other Act or statutory instrument (whether enacted or made before or after the commencement of this subsection)—

(a) the period provided for making or lodging an appeal or notice of appeal to the court against a conviction or sentence is taken to be the period for giving the court notice of intention to appeal or notice of intention to apply for leave to appeal, or

(b) an appeal against a conviction or sentence is taken to be pending in the court if notice of intention to appeal or apply for leave to appeal has been duly given to the court (unless the appeal or application has not been made within any time it is required to be made by the rules of court).

s 10: Am 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (8); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1; 1982 No 69, Sch 2; 1985 No 59, Sch 1; 1990 No 74, Sch 3; 1991 No 17, Sch 1; 1997 No 85, Sch 1.3 [2] [3]; 1998 No 150, Sch 1.3 [2]; 1999 No 31, Sch 2.10 [2] (am 1999 No 85, Sch 2.62). Subst 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [3]. Am 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [10].

11 Judge’s notes and report to be furnished on appeal

11 Judge’s notes and report to be furnished on appeal

The judge of the court of trial may, and, if requested to do so by the Chief Justice, shall, in case of any appeal or application for leave to appeal, furnish to the registrar the judge’s notes of the trial, and also a report, giving the judge’s opinion upon the case, or upon any point arising in the case—

Provided that where shorthand notes have been taken in accordance with this Act, a transcript of such notes may be furnished in lieu of such judge’s notes.

s 11: Am 1979 No 97, Sch 1 (9).

12 Supplemental powers of the court

12 Supplemental powers of the court

(1) The court may, if it thinks it necessary or expedient in the interests of justice—

(a) order the production of any document, exhibit, or other thing connected with the proceedings, and

(b) order any persons who would have been compellable witnesses at the trial to attend and be examined before the court, whether they were or were not called at the trial, or order any such persons to be examined before any judge of the court or before any officer of the court or other person appointed by the court for the purpose, and admit any deposition so taken as evidence, and

(c) receive the evidence, if tendered, of any witness (including the appellant) who is a competent, but not a compellable witness, and

(d) where any question arising on the appeal involves prolonged examination of documents or accounts, or any scientific or local investigation, which cannot, in the opinion of the court, be conveniently conducted before the court, the court or any judge thereof may refer the question for inquiry and report to a commissioner appointed by the court, and act upon the report of any such commissioner so far as the court thinks fit, and

(e) appoint any person with special expert knowledge to act as assessor to the court in any case in which it appears to the court that such special knowledge is required for the determination of the case,

and exercise in relation to the proceedings of the court any other powers which may for the time being be exercised by the Supreme Court on appeals or applications in civil matters, and issue any warrant or other process necessary for enforcing the orders or sentences of the court: Provided that in no case shall any sentence be increased by reason of, or in consideration of any evidence that was not given at the trial.

(2) The Court of Criminal Appeal may remit a matter or issue to a court of trial for determination and may, in doing so, give any directions subject to which the determination is to be made.

s 12: Am 1987 No 251, Sch 1 (3); 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [13].

13

13 (Repealed)

14 Right of appellant to be present

14 Right of appellant to be present

(1) An appellant, notwithstanding that the appellant is in custody, shall be entitled to be present if the appellant desires it, on the hearing of the appellant’s appeal, except where the appeal is on some ground involving a question of law alone. On an appeal on such ground and on an application for leave to appeal, and on any proceedings preliminary or incidental to an appeal, the appellant shall not be entitled to be present, except by leave of the court.

(2) The power of the court to pass any sentence under this Act may be exercised notwithstanding that the appellant is not present.

14A Crown appeals—absence of respondent

14A Crown appeals—absence of respondent

(1) A Crown appeal may be dealt with, and the court may pass any sentence under this Act, in the absence of the respondent if the court is satisfied—

(a) that—

(i) the respondent has been given notice of the date on which the appeal is to be heard, or

(ii) although the notice of appeal was served on the respondent, the respondent has not been given notice of the date on which the appeal is to be heard because the respondent’s whereabouts are unknown, and

(b) that it would not be unjust to deal with the appeal, and pass sentence, in the absence of the respondent.

(2) If on a Crown appeal the court decides to impose on a respondent, in the absence of the respondent, a sentence of imprisonment by way of full-time detention, and the respondent is not in custody at the time of that decision, the court may decline to specify a commencement date for the sentence until the respondent appears before the court for sentencing.

(3) If the court declines to specify a commencement date for a sentence under this section—

(a) sections 47 and 48 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 do not apply until the respondent appears before the court for sentencing, and

(b) when the respondent appears before the court for sentencing, sections 47 and 48 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 apply in respect of the sentence as if the sentence were imposed by the court on the day the respondent so appears.

(4) The court may, for the purpose of disposing of proceedings on a Crown appeal, or imposing a sentence in such proceedings (including specifying the commencement date for a sentence), issue a warrant to arrest a respondent if the respondent fails to appear before it and the court is satisfied—

(a) that the respondent has been given notice of the date on which the proceedings were to be disposed of, or the sentence imposed, or

(b) that attempts to give such notice have failed because the respondent’s whereabouts are unknown.

(5) Part 4 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 applies, with any necessary modifications, to warrants issued by the court under this section in the same way as it applies to warrants issued in proceedings to which that Part applies.

(6) In this section—

Crown appeal means an appeal under section 5C, 5D, 5DA, 5DB or 5DC.

s 14A: Ins 1995 No 23, Sch 1.3. Subst 1996 No 6, Sch 1.3. Am 1997 No 85, Sch 1.3 [4]; 2007 No 57, Sch 2 [1] [2].

15 Appeals permitted in writing

15 Appeals permitted in writing

An appellant shall be entitled to present the appellant’s case and the appellant’s argument to the court in writing if the appellant so desires.

16 Notice of appeals

16 Notice of appeals

Notice of all appeals and applications for leave to appeal shall be given by the registrar to the Attorney-General in the prescribed manner.

17 Costs of appeal

17 Costs of appeal

(1) On the hearing or determination of an appeal, or any proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto under this Act, no costs shall be allowed on either side.

(2) The expenses of any Australian legal practitioner assigned, and of any assessor appointed, and of any witnesses attending on the order of the court or examined, and of and incidental to any examination or reference under this Act, and of the appearance of an appellant on the hearing of the appellant’s appeal or on any proceedings preliminary or incidental to the appellant’s appeal, shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund up to an amount allowed by the registrar, but subject to any regulations as to rates of payment made by the Minister administering the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 the decision of the registrar may be reviewed by the court or a judge thereof.

s 17: Am GG No 105 of 19.7.1985, p 3665; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.76 [14]; 2005 No 98, Sch 3.19 [3].

18 Certain time to count as part of appellant’s sentence

18 Certain time to count as part of appellant’s sentence

(1) (Repealed)

(2) The time during which an appellant is at liberty on bail (pending the determination of his or her appeal) does not count as part of any term of imprisonment under the appellant’s sentence.

(3) The time during which an appellant is held in custody counts as part of any term of imprisonment under the appellant’s sentence. However, if the court is satisfied that the appeal was unarguable or frivolous, the court may order that the time in custody does not count.

(4) (Repealed)

s 18: Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (4); 1995 No 88, Sch 1.2 [1] [2]; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [6]–[9], 4.97 [2].

19 Duties of registrar with respect to notices of appeal

19 Duties of registrar with respect to notices of appeal

(1) When an appeal or application for leave to appeal is duly made under this Act, the registrar must take all necessary steps for obtaining a hearing under this Act of the appeal or application.

(1A) The rules of court may make provision with respect to the transcripts, exhibits or other documents or things relating to the proceedings in the court of trial that are required for the determination of the appeal or application.

(2) If it appears to the registrar that the appeal papers relating to a conviction do not show any substantial ground of appeal, the registrar may refer the appeal to the court for summary determination, and the court may thereupon, if it considers that the appeal is frivolous or vexatious, dismiss the appeal summarily, without calling upon any person to attend the hearing.

(3) The registrar shall furnish the necessary forms and instructions in relation to notices of intention to appeal or to make application under this Act to any person who demands the same, and to officers of courts, governors of prisons, and to such other officers or persons as the registrar thinks fit, and the governor of a prison shall cause such forms and instructions to be placed at the disposal of prisoners desiring to appeal or to make any application under this Act, and shall cause any such notice given by a prisoner in the governor’s custody to be forwarded on behalf of the prisoner to the registrar.

(4) (Repealed)

s 19: Am 1969 No 60, sec 2 (2) (c); 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [4]–[6].

20 Documents, exhibits etc

20 Documents, exhibits etc

Any documents, exhibits, or other things connected with any proceedings before a court of trial in respect of which any person is entitled, or may be authorised, to appeal under this Act, shall be kept in the custody of the court of trial for such time as may be prescribed, subject to such power as may be prescribed for the conditional release of any such documents, exhibits, or other things from that custody.

21 Shorthand notes of trial

21 Shorthand notes of trial

Shorthand notes shall if practicable be taken of the proceedings at every trial of any person on indictment, and on any notice of intention to appeal or to apply for leave to appeal, a transcript of the notes, or any part thereof, shall be made if the registrar so directs, and furnished to the registrar for the use of the court, or a judge thereof, and a transcript shall be furnished to any party interested upon the payment of such charges as may be prescribed by the Governor-in-Council.

s 21: Am 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [7].

21A Exercise of court’s powers

21A Exercise of court’s powers

(1) The decision of the court is to be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the judges of the court present.

(2) If the judges present are equally divided in opinion, the decision of the court is to be in accordance with the opinion of the Chief Justice or other judge presiding.

(3) The decision of the court on any appeal heard before 3 or more judges is not affected merely because one or more of the judges dies before the decision on the appeal is given, so long as a majority of the judges before whom the hearing of the appeal commenced are in agreement as to the court’s decision.

(4) If, in dismissing an appeal, the court is of the unanimous decision that the appeal does not raise any question of general principle, it may, in accordance with the rules, give reasons for its decision in short form.

(5) This section does not affect any provision of this or any other Act that authorises or requires a power of the court to be exercised in any other manner.

(6) In this section—

appeal includes any matter before the court.

s 21A: Ins 1998 No 49, Sch 6 [3].

22 Powers of a judge sitting alone

22 Powers of a judge sitting alone

(1) The following powers of the court may be exercised by any Judge of the Supreme Court designated by the Chief Justice in the same manner as they may be exercised by the court, and subject to the same provisions—

(a) the power to give leave to appeal,

(b) the power to extend the time within which notice of intention to appeal is to be given (or any time within which the appeal is to be made),

(c) the power to extend the time within which notice of intention to apply for leave to appeal is to be given (or any time within which the application is to be made),

(d) the power to allow the appellant to be present at any proceedings (in cases where the appellant is not entitled to be present without leave),

(e) the power to order the production of any document, exhibit or other thing concerned with proceedings,

(f) the power to order any person who would have been a compellable witness at the trial to attend and be examined before the court,

(g) the power to order any such person to be examined,

(h) the power to admit any deposition taken as evidence,

(h1) in the case of the hearing of an application under Division 2 of Part 8 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001, the power to conduct any part of the hearing as directed by the court,

(i) the power to dispose of an appeal for failure to prosecute the appeal diligently,

(j) the power to order that time spent by an appellant in custody is not to count towards the sentence imposed when an appeal, or an application for leave to appeal, is abandoned,

(k) the power to dismiss an appeal as incompetent,

(l) any other powers of the court in respect of procedural or interlocutory matters as may be prescribed by the rules of court.

(2) If the Judge refuses an application on the part of the appellant to exercise any such power in the appellant’s favour, the appellant is entitled to have the application determined by the court.

s 22: Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (5). Subst 1995 No 88, Sch 1.2 [3]. Am 1997 No 85, Sch 1.3 [5]; 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [8]; 2006 No 69, Sch 2.2 [3]; 2020 No 31, Sch 1.7[4]–[6].

22A Judgment of the court may be delivered by a single judge of the court

22A Judgment of the court may be delivered by a single judge of the court

(1) When judgment in a proceeding in the court is delivered it is not necessary for any of the judges before whom it was heard to be present in court to state their opinions.

(2) The opinion of any of the judges may be reduced to writing and made public by any judge of the court when judgment in the proceeding is delivered.

(3) The judgment of the court has the same effect as if each judge of the court whose opinion is so made public had been present in court and declared his or her opinion in person.

(4) For the purpose of delivering judgment the court may be constituted by one or more judges of the court.

s 22A: Ins 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (4).

23 Writs of error abolished

23 Writs of error abolished

(1) Writs of error, and the powers and practice now existing in the Supreme Court in respect of motions for new trials, and the granting thereof in criminal cases, save as aforesaid, are hereby abolished.

(2) Sections 428, 470, 471, 472, 473 and 474 of the Crimes Act 1900 are repealed.

Part 5 Appeals from the decisions of the court

Part 5 Appeals from the decisions of the court

24 Postponing execution of order quashing conviction on Crown’s application

24 Postponing execution of order quashing conviction on Crown’s application

(1) Where an appeal to the court is upheld, and the appellant is entitled under this Act to have the conviction against the appellant quashed by order of the court, the court may, upon application on behalf of the Crown, at any time before the release of such appellant, either by the same or by a separate order, direct that the execution of the order quashing the appellant’s conviction be stayed for such time (not exceeding four days) as the court thinks fit, and the court or judge thereof shall, subject to the Bail Act 2013, thereupon make such order for the detention of the appellant or the appellant’s return to any former custody as the court or judge thinks fit, for the time during which such stay has been directed.

(2) The court or a judge thereof may, subject to the Bail Act 2013, upon application made by the Attorney-General make such order for the detention of the appellant pending the hearing of an appeal to the High Court as the court or a judge may think fit, and may at any time vary or rescind such order.

s 24: Am 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (6); 2014 No 5, Sch 2.14.

25 Court may release on failure to prosecute appeal

25 Court may release on failure to prosecute appeal

On the application of any appellant deeming the appellant wronged by any failure to diligently prosecute such appeal, the court or a judge thereof may order the immediate execution of the original order of the court quashing the conviction, and may order the appellant’s immediate release, and the court may further, if it thinks fit, award the appellant such compensation as appears just.

25A Certain time to count as part of appellant’s sentence

25A Certain time to count as part of appellant’s sentence

(1) Any time during which a person is at liberty on bail pending the determination of the person’s appeal to the High Court from an order or determination of the Court of Criminal Appeal does not count as part of any term of imprisonment or penal servitude under the person’s sentence.

(2) (Repealed)

(3) The time during which a person is held in custody counts as part of any term of imprisonment or penal servitude under the person’s sentence.

(4) (Repealed)

(5) A reference in this section to bail is a reference to bail whether or not granted under the Bail Act 2013.

(6) In this section, appeal includes an application for special leave to appeal.

s 25A: Ins 1998 No 149, Sch 2.3 [2]. Am 1999 No 94, Sch 4.12 [10]–[12]; 2004 No 47, Sch 3.2 [1]; 2014 No 5, Sch 2.14.

Part 6

Part 6

26 (Repealed)

pt 6: Rep 1993 No 64, Sch 2 (1).

s 26: Am 1985 No 59, Sch 1; GG No 105 of 19.7.1985, p 3665. Rep 1993 No 64, Sch 2 (1).

Part 7 Miscellaneous

Part 7 Miscellaneous

pt 7, hdgs: Ins 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (7).

27 Prerogative of mercy preserved

27 Prerogative of mercy preserved

Nothing in this Act limits or affects in any manner the prerogative of mercy.

s 27: Am 1975 No 65, sec 6; GG No 105 of 19.7.1985, p 3665. Subst 1993 No 64, Sch 2 (2).

28 Rules of court

28 Rules of court

(1) Rules of court for the purposes of this Act may be made under the Supreme Court Act 1970.

(1A) Subsection (1) does not limit the rule-making powers conferred by the Supreme Court Act 1970.

(2) Such rules may be made with respect to all or any of the following matters—

(a) The regulation of the practice and procedure under this Act,

(b) The sitting of the court if necessary during any vacation,

(c) The powers and duties of the registrar and other officers of the court, including the powers of the court that may be exercised by them,

(c1) The review by the court of decisions of the registrar or other officers of the court, including decisions in exercise of any powers of the court conferred on them,

(d) The detention of an appellant pending any appeal, or application for leave to appeal, or new trial,

(e) The safe custody of any property with respect to which an order for restitution has been suspended,

(f) The taking of shorthand notes and the making of transcripts thereof,

(g) Applications for and furnishing of notes of trial and reports by judges of courts of trial,

(h) Any matters which in the opinion of the Rule Committee of the Supreme Court are necessary or expedient for giving effect to the purposes of this Act.

(3), (4) (Repealed)

s 28: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (8); 1990 No 108, Sch 1; 2020 No 31, Sch 1.7[7].

28A Operation of sections 18 and 25A

28A Operation of sections 18 and 25A

(1) This section applies if, under section 18 or 25A, any period does not count as part of any term of imprisonment under an appellant’s sentence.

(2) The court may make any order that it thinks fit to give effect to section 18 or 25A (including an order specifying the date of the commencement or re-commencement of the sentence).

(3) If the court does not make such an order, the sentence commences or re-commences on the appropriate date required for the operation of section 18 or 25A.

(4) This section extends to apply in respect of the following appeals—

(a) an appeal made, but not determined, before the commencement of this section,

(b) an appeal in respect of which notice of intention to appeal or to apply for leave to appeal or application for leave (or for special leave) to appeal was made before the commencement of this section.

s 28A: Ins 2004 No 47, Sch 3.2 [2].

29 Bail Act 2013 to prevail

29 Bail Act 2013 to prevail

The Bail Act 2013 shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency between that Act and this Act and, without affecting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this section, shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency between that Act and rules referred to in sections 5AA (6), 8 (2) and 28 or in section 5AA (6) as applied by section 5AB.

s 29: Ins 1978 No 165, Sch 1 (9) (am 1979 No 97, sec 5 (b)). Am 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 2; 2014 No 5, Sch 2.14.

30 Savings and transitional provisions

30 Savings and transitional provisions

Schedule 1 has effect.

s 30: Ins 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (5).

Schedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions

Schedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions

(Section 30)

sch 1: Ins 1994 No 15, Sch 1 (5). Am 1995 No 88, Sch 1.2 [4]; 1997 No 85, Sch 1.3 [6]; 1998 No 53, Sch 4 [4]; 1998 No 149, Sch 2.3 [3]; 2000 No 31, Sch 3 [3]; 2001 No 117, Sch 6 [9]; 2003 No 85, Sch 3 [11]; 2005 No 31, Sch 4 [2]; 2006 No 107, Sch 1.10 [5]; 2007 No 57, Sch 2 [3]; 2008 No 24, Sch 2 [2]; 2008 No 107, Sch 6 [7]; 2010 No 135, Sch 11 [2]; 2019 No 20, Sch 1.9[2].