- Definition of Hearsay
- Definition of Criminal Proceedings
- Definition of Statement
- Statutory categories of admissibility
- Cases where a witness is unavailable
- Cases involving business and other documents
- Common Law categories of admissibility
- Inconsistent and other previous statements of witnesses
- Multiple Hearsay
- Documents produced as exhibits
- Capability to make a statement
- Stopping the case where evidence is unconvincing
- General discretion to exclude evidence
- Expert evidence: preparatory work
- Representations other than by a person
- Evidence at retrial
- Policy and Practice
The admissibility of hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings is set out in sections 114 - 136 of Part II Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Archbold 2012, chapter 11) and applies to all criminal proceedings begun on or after 4th April 2005 (section 141 Criminal Justice Act 2003).
Definition of Hearsay
"Hearsay" in criminal proceedings is "a statement not made in oral evidence in the proceedings that is evidence of any matter stated" (section 114 (1) Criminal Justice Act 2003).
"Criminal proceedings" means "criminal proceedings in relation to which the strict rules of evidence" apply (section 134 Criminal Justice Act 2003), and includes:
- A trial or Newton hearing (R v Bradley  EWCA Crim 20);
- A preparatory hearing, because when such a hearing is ordered, "the trial begins with that hearing" (section 30 Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 and R v H  1 Cr. App. R 4);
- A hearing pursuant to section 4A Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 to determine whether the defendant did the act or made the omission charged (R v Chal  EWCA Crim 2647);
- Committal proceedings (CPS v City of London Magistrates' Court  EWHC 1153 (Admin).
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 regime may be also be applied by analogy to proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, where admissibility is a live issue. The checklists in sections 114(2) and 116 Criminal Justice Act 2003 may assist the court when considering the potential for unfairness, but there should be greater flexibility than at trial (R v Chipston  EWCA Crim 446).
The Civil Evidence Act 1995 applies in proceedings for Anti-social Behaviour Orders. See also Anti-Social Behaviour elsewhere in this guidance.
Definition of Statement
A 'statement' is defined as "any representation of fact or opinion made by a person by whatever means"; and it includes a representation made in a sketch, photo fit or other pictorial form.
Matter stated: implied insertions
A 'matter stated' is one where the purpose or one of the purposes of the person making the statement appears to have been to cause another person to believe the matter or to cause another person to act or a machine to operate on the basis that the matter is as stated (section 115).
The effect of this definition of statement is to enable evidence to be admitted of 'implied assertions'. This reverses the decision made in R v Kearley (1992) 2 AC 228 in which police answered telephone calls and personal calls to the defendant's home from people asking about drugs that the defendant had for sale. The prosecution wished to adduce the evidence to prove that the intended recipient of the calls was a dealer in drugs, without evidence from the callers themselves. The House of Lords decided that, as evidence of the fact that the defendant dealt in drugs, the caller's words were hearsay and thus inadmissible.
The callers' words do not fall within the definition of being a 'matter stated' because the purpose of the calls was not to cause another person to believe that the recipient of the call was a drug dealer but simply to request drugs. (R v Chrysostomou  EWCA Crim 1403, R v MK  EWCA Crim 310 following R v Singh  EWCA Crim 660, that mobile phone numbers stored on a telephone are not a "matter stated" within section 115 CJA 2003, but implied assertions, which since they were no longer hearsay were admissible.) The messages did not amount to or contain any statement that he was a drug dealer Even if they could be said to amount to an implied assertion that he was, the purpose of the sender did not include causing the recipient or anyone else to believe that he was. Further the messages justified the conclusion that there was an existing relationship of buyer and seller between the sender and the defendant. That was a relevant matter; indeed the prime issue in the case was whether he was or was not. Accordingly they were rightly admitted. (R v Twist  EWCA Crim 1143).
In R v Twist and Others  EWCA Crim 1143, the Court of Appeal strongly recommended avoidance of the difficult concept of the "implied assertion" because the CJA 2003 focuses on the 'matter stated', which it is sought to prove and suggested the following approach when considering whether the hearsay rules applied:
(i) identify what relevant fact (matter) it is sought to prove;
(ii) ask whether there is a statement of that matter in the communication. If no, then no question of hearsay arises (whatever other matters may be contained in the communication);
(iii) If yes, ask whether it was one of the purposes (not necessarily the only or dominant purpose) of the maker of the communication that the recipient, or any other person, should believe that matter or act upon it as true ? If yes, it is hearsay. If no, it is not.
The answers to these questions will be case-sensitive. The same communication may sometimes be hearsay and sometimes not, depending on the matter for which it is relied upon and the fact which it is sought to prove.
Statutory categories of admissibility
Hearsay evidence (as defined above) is admissible in criminal proceedings only if:
- The 2003 Act or any other statutory provision makes it admissible - Section 114(1)(a);
- Any rule of law preserved by section 118 makes it admissible (see below) - Section 114(1)(b);
- All parties to the proceedings agree to it being admissible Section 114(1)(c); or
- The court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice for it to be admissible - Section 114(1)(d).
In exercising the discretion under Section 114(1)(d) the court must have regard to the following (and any others it considers relevant):
- How much probative value the statement has (assuming it to be true) in relation to a matter in issue in the proceedings, or how valuable it is for the understanding of other evidence in the case;
- What other evidence has been, or can be, given on the matter or evidence mentioned above;
- How important the matter or evidence mentioned is in the context of the case as a whole;
- The circumstances in which the statement was made;
- How reliable the maker of the statement appears to be;
- How reliable the evidence of the making of the statement appears to be;
- Whether oral evidence of the matter stated can be given and, if not, why it cannot;
- The amount of difficulty involved in challenging the statement;
- The extent to which that difficulty would be likely to prejudice the party facing it.
Section 114(1)(d) will be considered only in cases where admissibility under the other statutory provisions and the retained common law rules is not allowed.
The test for admissibility is "interests of justice". The guidelines for the factors to consider in relation to the interests of justice test are detailed. Prosecutors will need to take these factors into account when considering the likely admissibility of evidence that the prosecution propose to call. These will also be the factors to take account of when receiving a notice of intention to adduce hearsay evidence from the defence. The prosecutor will need to decide whether to oppose any notice or agree to admit the evidence.
The courts have already indicated a willingness to use Section 114(1)(d). For example in R v Xhabri  1 Cr. App. R. 26 the Court of Appeal, when considering an application to admit the previous complaint of a rape victim under Section 120 (see below) stated that even if the previous complaint fell outside the strict construction of Section 120 they would admit the evidence under Section 114(1)(d).
Cases where a witness is unavailable
Under section 116 of the Act:
- The statement may be oral.
- In the case of fear, the statement need not have been made to a person in authority.
- In relation to unfitness, the unfitness is in relation to being a witness as opposed to attending as a witness.
- Where a witness does give evidence, but through fear does not cover the relevant matter that is contained in a statement, this matter may be admissible.
- There is automatic admissibility of a statement made by an identifiable person of evidence that would be admissible if that person were available to give oral evidence but are unable to do so because either:
- The person is dead (section 116(2)(a));
- The person is unfit to be a witness because of their bodily or mental condition (section 116(2)(b));
- The person is outside the United Kingdom and it is not reasonably practicable to secure his attendance (section 116(2)); or
- The person cannot be found although such steps as it is reasonably practicable to take to find him have been taken (section 116(2)(d)).
There is a limited form of admissibility if the reason for non-availability to give oral evidence is through fear (section 116(2)(e)).
In cases where the witness does not give oral evidence through fear (or does not continue to give such evidence), leave of the court is required.
The 2003 Act guides the court on the exercise of this discretion by requiring the court to consider that the statement ought to be admitted in the interests of justice, having regard to a number of factors listed at subsections 116(4)(a) - (d).
The person making the statement must be identified to the court's satisfaction - section 116(1) (b). Thus the statement of an unidentified passer by cannot be introduced under this section. (See below for res gestae provisions, which may assist in these circumstances and also consider (section 114(1)(d)).
The 2003 Act gives 'fear' a wide definition and it will include fear of the death or injury of another person or of financial loss (section 116(3)).
Any person who by himself or through his agent causes the unavailability of the witness cannot rely on the provisions of the Act to produce that person's statement (section 116(5)).
It is possible to challenge the credibility of a witness whose statement is received in evidence (section 124).
Cases involving business and other documents
The Act deals differently with statements contained in general business documents and statements made in contemplation of criminal proceedings.
Generally a statement contained in a document is admissible of any matter stated if:
- Oral evidence would be admissible as evidence of the matter;
- The document or the part containing the statement was created or received by a person in the course of a trade, business, profession or other occupation, or as the holder of a paid or unpaid office;
- The person who supplied the information contained in the statement (the relevant person) had or may reasonably be supposed to have had personal knowledge of the matters dealt with; and
- Each person (if any) through whom the information was supplied from the relevant person to the person creating or receiving the information also received the information in the course of a trade, business, profession or other occupation, or as the holder of a paid or unpaid office (section 117(2)).
Documents admissible under these provisions will be wide ranging and include company correspondence, hospital records and a note made by an operator working for a paging company that messages have been left for a customer (Rock  Crim LR 843).
In the case of statements prepared for the purposes of pending or contemplated criminal proceedings, or for a criminal investigation (other than a request under section 7 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 - relating to overseas evidence, usually obtained pursuant to a letter of request) then one of the five conditions in section 116(2) must also be satisfied (see above), or the relevant person cannot reasonably be expected to have any recollection of the matters dealt with in the statement (having regard to the length of time since he supplied the information and all other circumstances) (section 117(5)).
Documents where these additional requirements must be met will include statements of fraud investigators and police officer's notes. However, it may be that the information upon which the fraud investigator bases his statement will be admissible, as much of that information may be contained in business documents admissible under section 117(2).
The person supplying the information is the relevant person (section 117(2)(b)). therefore, the decision in Bedi  95 Cr. App. R. 21, where it was accepted that reports of the loss or theft of credit cards compiled by a bank employee from information supplied by the owners of the cards were 'made' by the employee rather than by the owners of the cards, is reversed. It is now clear that the maker of the statement is the owner of the cards.
Although admissibility is generally automatic, there is limited discretion given to the court to exclude evidence if satisfied that the statement's reliability is doubtful in view of:
- Its contents;
- The source of the information contained in it;
- The way in which or the circumstances in which the information was supplied or received; or
- The way in which or the circumstances in which the document concerned was created or received (section 117(7)).
This provision is of particular importance to the prosecution as it is the only way of challenging the admissibility of business and other documents tendered by the defence. The test is in favour of admissibility rather than in favour of exclusion.
Common Law categories of admissibility
Section 118 of the 2003 Act specifically preserves the following common law rules:
- Published works dealing with matters of a public nature, public documents, public records and the rule permitting evidence of a person's age or date or place of birth to be in hearsay form;
- Reputation as to character; reputation or family tradition as proof of marriage, a public or general right or the identity of any person or thing;
- Res gestae (if the statement was made by a person so emotionally overpowered by an event that the possibility of concoction or distortion can be disregarded, the statement accompanied an act which can be properly evaluated as evidence only if considered in conjunction with the statement, or the statement relates to a physical or a mental state such as intention or emotion);
- Confessions and mixed statements;
- Admissions by agents. R (on the application of Firth) v Epping Magistrates' Court  EWHC 211 Admin is authority that assertions made during the case management process can be admissible in evidence. However, it will be rare for those statements to be admissible in evidence against the defendant if the letter and spirit of the Criminal Procedure Rules are being followed. (R v Newell  EWCA Crim 650).
- Common enterprise (declarations of a conspirator) and expert evidence (where an expert witness may draw on the body of expertise relevant to his field).
Inconsistent and other previous statements of witnesses
The 2003 Act also deals with previous statements of witnesses.
Inconsistent statements must still be admitted or proved in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act 1865. (The CPA 1865 requires that any inconsistent or former statement is mentioned to the witness and he must be asked whether or not he made such a statement before proof of the making of the statement is given). Once the statement is admitted it becomes evidence of the truth of matters stated in it if oral evidence of that matter would be admissible (section 11).
R v Joyce  EWCA 1785 provides an example of the use of section 119. In Joyce the defendant was positively identified by several witnesses who made detailed statements setting out the certainty of their identification. At trial the witnesses all claimed that they were now uncertain as to their identification, contrary to their previous statements. The clear inference was that the witnesses had been put under pressure to change their evidence. The judge admitted the previous statements as evidence of the original identifications and the jury convicted on the basis that these statements were true.
Other previous statements, once admitted, become evidence of truth. Statements under this provision require the witness to be called to give evidence (section 120(1)).
If a previous statement is admitted to rebut a suggestion that his evidence has been fabricated, the status of the evidence is that it is admissible of any matter stated of which oral evidence would be admissible. Thus the whole statement becomes evidence of truth of statements contained in it and not just as evidence of credibility (section 120(2)).
A statement used to refresh memory while giving evidence, on which the witness is cross-examined, and which as a consequence is admitted in evidence, becomes evidence of truth (section 120(3)).
A statement is admissible if whilst giving evidence the witness indicates that to the best of his belief he made the statement and that to the best of his belief it states the truth and one of the following three conditions apply:
1. The statement identifies or describes a person, object or place (section 120(5)); or
2. The statement was made when matters were fresh in his memory but he does not and cannot reasonably be expected to remember them well enough to give oral evidence of them in the proceedings (section 120(6)); or
3. All of the following are satisfied:
- The witness claims to be a person against whom an offence has been committed;
- The offence is one to which the proceedings relate;
- The statement consists of a complaint made by the witness about a conduct which would constitute the offence or part of it;
- The complaint was made as soon as could reasonably be expected;
- The complaint was not made as a result of a threat or promise; and
- Before the statement is adduced the witness gives oral evidence in connection with the subject matter (section 120(7)).
An effect of these provisions is that evidence of recent complaint is not automatically admissible. If the complaint is delayed then it may not be admissible at all: in such circumstances, it may be appropriate to consider admissibility under section 114(1)(d). In R v Openshaw  2 Cr. App. R. 27 the court addressed the question of whether the complaint was made "as soon as could reasonably be expected after the alleged conduct". It depended on the context of the case and the person to whom it is made: a complaint made four months later was admitted.
Section 139 the Act 2003, provides that a witness may refresh his memory from a document made or verified by him at an earlier time. The conditions for refreshing memory are only that the witness states in his oral evidence that the document records his recollection of the matter at that earlier time and that his recollection at that time is likely to have been significantly better at that time than when he is giving his evidence. The provision also applies to a transcript of a sound recording. Sound recording is not defined in this part of the Act. It is submitted that it would apply to the sound recording contained in a video or DVD.
Since a previous statement of a witness can become evidence of truth in the circumstances provided for in section 120, it may be good practice to routinely allow witnesses to refer to previous statements whilst giving evidence, confirming that they are true and that their recollection when they made the statement was significantly better than now. In any event a prosecutor should always consider introducing a previous statement if it contains a detailed description (section 120(5)). This assists the witness giving evidence and enables the court to be given the best evidence. It removes the "memory test" aspect of giving evidence.
The provisions in section 120 may also be of use when dealing with reluctant and hostile witnesses. It will still be necessary to show that the witness is hostile but once that is done all that is then required is for the witness to confirm any previous statement.
Multiple hearsay refers to the situation where information is relayed through more than one person before it is recorded.
Multiple hearsay is only admissible if:
- Either of the statements is admissible under section 117 (business documents), section 119 (inconsistent statements) or section 120 (other previous statement); or
- All parties agree; or
- The court uses its discretion to admit under section 121.
Discretion under section 121 is framed differently to the overall discretion of the court and requires the court to be satisfied that the value of the evidence, taking into account how reliable the statements appear to be, is so high that the interests of justice require the later statement to be admissible for that purpose.
It is submitted that the discretion in section 121 is to be viewed as a higher test than the discretion in section 114(1)(d). This is because multiple hearsay is more likely to be unreliable. However, there may still be circumstances where it can be reliable.
Documents produced as exhibits
Copies of documents or statements admitted under section 119 or section 120, which are exhibited, should not normally go out with the jury unless the court so directs in the interests of justice or all parties agree (section 122).
Capability to make a statement
The witness making any statement which is admissible by reason of sections 116,117,119 or 120 must have the capability to make the statement, i.e. he must be capable of understanding the questions put to him about matters stated and giving answers which can be understood (section 123).
The credibility of any witness who does not give evidence can be challenged by admitting evidence relevant to credibility as if the witness were giving the evidence in person (section 124(2)). Another party may be permitted to lead additional evidence to deny or answer any allegation made (section 124(3)).
Stopping the case where evidence is unconvincing
In a trial before judge and jury the judge has the power to direct an acquittal or discharge the jury if after the close of the prosecution case he considers that the case is based wholly or partly on a hearsay statement and that statement is so unconvincing that, considering its importance to the case against the defendant, his conviction would be unsafe (section 125). This provision only applies to jury trials on the basis that in these circumstances Magistrates would be bound to acquit.
General discretion to exclude evidence
The court is given a general discretion to refuse to admit hearsay evidence under the Act if satisfied that the case for excluding the statement, taking account of the danger that to admit it would result in undue waste of time, substantially outweighs the case for admitting it (section 126(1)).
The Act also specifically preserves the power of the court to exclude prosecution evidence under section 78 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and any other power to exclude evidence at its discretion (section 126(2)). It should be noted that section 78 relates only to the exclusion of prosecution evidence and the common law rules refer to exclusion if it is necessary to secure a fair trial for the accused. It is submitted that the only discretion to exclude defence evidence is that contained in section 126.
Expert evidence: preparatory work
Section 127 creates an exception to the hearsay rule for information relied on by an expert, subject to the court's discretion to require attendance of the relevant witness. A statement prepared for the purposes of criminal proceedings made by a person having personal knowledge of any matter stated can be relied upon by an expert to base an opinion on it.
It is a requirement that notice be given to the other party that the expert will be basing an opinion or inference on the statement. The notice must provide the name of the person making the statement and the nature of the matters contained in it.
Section 128 of the 2003 Act inserts section 76A into the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This enables a defendant to introduce a confession made by a co-defendant subject to his proving (on the balance of probabilities) that the confession was not made by oppression or in circumstances likely to render it unreliable.
Facts discovered as a result of a confession will still be admissible even if the confession is excluded.
Representations other than by a person
A statement made by a machine (e.g. a computer), which relies on information supplied by a person, is only admissible to the extent that the information provided was accurate: section 129(1).
There is a presumption that a mechanical device has been properly set or calibrated: section 129(2).
Evidence at retrial
The Criminal Appeal Act 1968 is amended by section 131, so that if evidence was given orally in a trial it must be given orally at any retrial, unless all parties agree, or a witness is unavailable in accordance with section 116, or unavailable for other reasons and the court admits it under section 114(1)(d).
Policy and Practice
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 moves away from the strict common law rule against the admission of hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings. The current policy is more flexible and promotes the inclusion of relevant hearsay evidence, on the basis that justice is not served if important information is excluded for no good reason. The weight to be attached to hearsay evidence is a matter for the jury or magistrates' court.
Article 6(3) (d) of the European Convention on Human Rights states that a person charged with a criminal offence has a right "to examine or have examined witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as witnesses against him".
In Al-Khawaja and Tahery v UK (judgment given 15 December 2011) the European Court of Human Rights, sitting as a Grand Chamber held that a conviction based solely or decisively on evidence adduced from an absent witness does not automatically amount to a breach of the Convention. However, such cases must be subject to "the most searching scrutiny." The question for the court is whether there are sufficient counterbalancing factors in place, including measures that permit a fair and proper assessment of the reliability of that evidence to take place. The safeguards contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, supported by those in section 78 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the common law are in principle strong safeguards designed to ensure fairness. If trial courts apply these properly and have regard to this Grand Chamber judgment and the decision of the Supreme Court in Horncastle, trials will be fair.
Prosecutors should assist the courts in the proper application of the safeguards, which include:
- Establishing that the absence of the witness falls within one of the categories defined in the Act and is justified. Death and medical incapacity are conclusive justification. Where fear is proven to be attributable to the defendant or those acting on his behalf, the defendant is taken to have waived his right to question witnesses and it is appropriate to allow the evidence of that witness to be read, even if it is the sole or decisive evidence (paragraph 123). In all other cases every effort should be made for the witness to give evidence and prosecutors should therefore apply for special measures or witness anonymity unless inappropriate or impracticable. It is particularly important that assurances are never given to potential witnesses that their statements will be read.
- Whatever the reason for the absence of the witness, the statement of a witness who is both absent and anonymous is inadmissible (paragraph 148).
- Whatever the reason for the absence of the witness, evidence relevant to the credibility or consistency of the maker of the statement may be admitted even where the evidence would not have been admissible had the witness given evidence in person (paragraph 149).
- Ensuring that the jury is given the traditional direction on the burden of proof and a direction on the dangers of relying on a hearsay statement (paragraph 150).
Prosecutors need to consider hearsay evidence and the potential for admitting it at every review of the evidence. The MG3 should identify hearsay evidence and any risks to admissibility, as part of the evidential stage of the Full Code Test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Cases involving vulnerable and intimidated witnesses may well be charged on the basis of a threshold test, but special measures and hearsay must be dealt with at the full review.
Prosecutors should still consider whether the hearsay evidence in a statement is necessary. For example the hearsay evidence in a medical statement may not need to be adduced if the injured party is going to give evidence. The purpose of the medical report is to usually to confirm the injury, not what was said to the doctor. A properly edited statement may be admitted by agreement pursuant to section 9 Criminal Justice Act 1967.
There is a distinction between uncontested evidence that is read pursuant to section 9 CJA 1967 or Schedule 2 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and hearsay evidence. A statement accepted pursuant to section 9 does not automatically make the evidence in it admissible but any admissible evidence that is read has the status of evidence as if it had been given orally. It is agreed and uncontested evidence. Where evidence is admitted as hearsay, the court will have to consider what weight is to be given to the evidence and any jury will be directed to take account of the fact that the witness' evidence cannot be challenged by cross examination.
Consideration of hearsay may arise at various stages of the proceedings. Witnesses may become unavailable unexpectedly or a special measures application may be refused. Prosecutors should keep issues of hearsay under continual review and comply with the notice requirements wherever possible.
Assertions made during case management process
R (on the application of Firth) v. Epping Magistrates' Court  EWHC 211 (Admin) is authority that a statement contained in the case management form is admissible as it falls within section 118 (1) (6) Criminal Justice Act 2003 as an admission by an agent, having regard to the principles as to barristers acting as reliable agents in R v Turner (Bryan James) (1975) 61 Cr. App. R 67. The Administrative Court distinguished between admissibility and whether in fact evidence is admitted at trial, and reiterated that it was good practice for a magistrates court to admit evidence at committal and leave it to a higher court to determine whether to allow the evidence at trial or to exercise the power to exclude in section 78 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. It follows that assertions should not be relied upon to bolster an inherently weak case or where a technical deficiency can be remedied by the use of other evidence. An application to admit assertions should only be made when necessary and appropriate. A copy of any completed case management form should be retained on the prosecution file.
In R v Newell  EWCA Crim 650 the Administrative Court confimed that statements made in case management forms are admissible under section 118 (1) (6) Criminal Justice Act 2003 but that they would rarely be admitted where the case is conducted within the letter and the spirit of the Criminal Procedure Rules. This decision should address concerns that engagement in active case management could be adverse to the defendant's interests.
In summary trials, admissions and acknowledgements that matters are not in issue made on the relevant sections of the Trial Preparation Form will be admissible. However, prosecutors should not seek to adduce statements made for case management purposes on other parts of the form provided that the defence is being conducted in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Likewise, information or statements made on a Plea and Case Management Form in the Crown Court should not be admitted provided that the defence are actively and appropriately engaging in case management processes and assisting with the early identification of matters in issue.It will only be in very rare cases that the prosecutor should ask the court to admit such a statement and not exercise its discretion under section 78 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to exclude it. For example where the defence have not provided a defence statement , and raise an ambush defence that is inconsistent with the matters stated on the Plea and Case Management Form, and the issues raised could not be remedied if an adjournment were granted.
Rules of Court
Section 132 Criminal Justice Act 2003 provides for the making of rules of court and imposes sanctions if the requirements of the rules are not complied with.
The Criminal Procedure Rules Part 34 requires written notice to be given to the other party and to the court when making applications under sections:
114(1)(d) (interests of justice);
116 (witness is unavailable); and
121 (multiple hearsay).
The Criminal Procedure Rules and the forms for giving and opposing notice of intention to introduce hearsay evidence are available at www.justice.gov.uk/criminal/procrules_fin/contents/formssection/formspage.htm
The notice must:
- Identify the evidence that is hearsay;
- Set out any facts on which the party relies to make the evidence admissible;
- Explain how the party will prove those facts if disputed by another party;
- Explain why the evidence is admissible;
- Attach any statement or other document containing the evidence if it has bit already been served.
The prosecution must serve the notice not more than 14 days after the defendant pleads not guilty. The defence must serve its notice as soon as reasonably practicable.
The court may vary or waive the notice requirements. (Rule 34.7) This should not be relied upon, but may be required when the reason for admitting hearsay is raised at a late stage in the proceedings. For example, where a warned witness has died. For guidance on the exercise of the court's discretion to extend time limits see R (on the application of Robinson) v Sutton Coldfield Magistrates Court  2 Cr. App. R. 13.
The hearsay provisions apply equally to the defence as to the prosecution, with the added safeguard for the defendant that any matters requiring proof must be proved to the criminal standard by the prosecution and on a balance of probabilities by the defence.
Statements in documents can be proved by producing the original document or an authenticated copy of it (section 133).
Death can be proved by certificate and unfitness through bodily condition by medical evidence.
Police Officers may have to give evidence to show what steps have been taken to trace unavailable witnesses or what would be required to secure the attendance of a witness outside the UK. What is reasonable will depend on the importance of the evidence, the reason for non attendance, prejudice to the defendant and the cost of bringing the witness to court: see R v Castillo  1 Cr. App. R.438.