Criminal proceedings - At the second directions hearing

Venue, date and time 

The second directions hearing will again be conducted on a Friday by the List Judge on the date fixed at the first directions hearing, in a court in the Court’s building at 225 Macquarie Street, Sydney.  The location of the court and the precise time of the day will be published on the Court Lists on a notice board in the foyer of the Court’s building and on the Court’s website in the afternoon of the day before the second directions hearing.  The Sydney Morning Herald may also (but does not always) publish the Court Lists  on the morning of the date set for the directions hearing.

Defendant’s plea

If the defendant has not already entered a plea at the first directions hearing, the defendant is to enter a plea at the second directions hearing of not guilty or guilty to the offence charged in the order.

Estimate of hearing time

The prosecutor and the defendant are to hand to the Court a realistic agreed estimate or their own versions of an estimate of the hearing time, broken down into the elements of the trial or sentencing hearing.

Completed minute of proposed directions

The prosecutor and the defendant are to hand to the Court an agreed or their own versions of a minute of the directions they propose the Court should make, including:

• ordering a further preliminary hearing under s 247G of the Criminal Procedure Act (if appropriate)
• ordering a further preliminary conference under s 247H of the Criminal Procedure Act (if appropriate)
• making any directions under s 247M of the Criminal Procedure Act (if appropriate)
• other directions for the efficient management and conduct of the proceedings.

Making and recording directions

The List Judge will make directions, including fixing a date for the trial or sentencing hearing.  These directions will be stated orally.  The parties should record the directions made, including importantly the date, time and venue of the trial or sentencing hearing.  A written copy of the directions made is not usually sent to the parties.