Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Practice Directions

The Criminal Procedure Rules first came into force in April 2005. Together with the Criminal Practice Directions, these rules govern the practice and procedure to be followed in all criminal courts including magistrates' courts, Crown Courts, Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and in extradition appeal cases before the High Court.

Since the rules first came into force they have been subject to numerous and significant amendments. They are usually amended twice a year, in April and October and a subject to a consolidation exercise every five years. The latest consolidation exercise took place on 5 October 2020 when the pre-existing 2015 version of the rules were revoked and replaced by the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 (CrimPR 2020), SI 2020/759.

For information on CrimPR 2020, SI 2020/759, see Practice Note: The Criminal Procedure Rules.

The CrimPR has been amended since October 2020 as follows:

1. •

   Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025, SI 2025/60, in force in part on 24 February 2025 and in full on 7 April 2025

2. •

   Criminal Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2024, SI 2024/842, in force 7 October 2024 (except