New procedures to streamline criminal trials

04/05/2009

New South Wales Attorney General John Hatzistergos has announced plans for major reforms to criminal trials, in an effort to reduce delays. Mr Hatzistergos said one measure would give the court the power to order parties to meet before trial and identify the key issues for determination.

The announcement follows the release of a report by the Trial Efficiency Working Group, which was formed last year to examine inefficiencies in criminal trials. The working group, which consisted of three Supreme Court judges, the NSW senior crown prosecutor, the Bar Association, directors of the Attorney General’s Department and others, made a number of recommendations.

View the attorney's media release >

**4 May 2009 **