Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Arraignment definition

What does Arraignment mean? The hearing at which the indictment is put to the accused and the court takes a plea to each count. Typically the indictment is read or taken as read, identity is confirmed, and the defendant enters a guilty or not guilty plea. A guilty plea allows sentencing to proceed or be adjourned for reports; a not guilty plea leads to trial directions, listing, and bail or remand decisions. In England and Wales, arraignment occurs in the Crown Court, commonly at the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH). In Northern Ireland, it is taken in the Crown Court on the...

Crown Court trial procedure under CrimPR 2025: arraignment, public access, evidence, ‘no case’ rulings, fitness to plead, witnesses and judicial conduct (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines the steps required at the outset of a Crown Court trial, through the presentation of evidence and advocates’ speeches, in line with Part 25 of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, SI 2025/909 (CrimPR 2025) and the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 (CPD). For guidance on later stages—judicial directions, taking verdicts, the judge’s summing up and sentence—see Practice Note: Procedure during a Crown Court trial—summing up and directing the jury.

Arraignment in criminal cases

In the Crown Court, a defendant must be arraigned (that is, their plea taken) within the timetable prescribed by CrimPR 2025, SI 2025/909, r 3.32. Arraignment must occur no earlier than ten business days after the case is sent to the Crown Court (unless the parties agree to an earlier date) and no later than 80 business days after sending (unless a Crown Court judge orders otherwise). To take the plea, the Crown Court must, under CrimPR 2025, SI 2025/909, r 3.32(1), carry out specified steps to verify the Indictment’s correctness and the counts put to...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...