Explanatory note

This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This order brings the Crimes (Criminal Appeals) Amendment Act 2001 into force on 10 December 2001. The Act amends provisions in the Crimes Act 1961 that are concerned with rights to appeal to the Court of Appeal or to apply for leave to appeal to that court

The principal changes include the following:

• •the 10-day time limit for appealing (as prescribed by section 388(1)) is increased to 28 days:

• •the duty of the Solicitor-General is set out in new section 390:

• •all appeals or applications for leave to appeal must be dealt with by way of an oral hearing unless the Judge or Court making the decision on the mode of hearing determines that the appeal or application can be fairly dealt with on the papers and either the appeal or application has no realistic prospect of success or clearly should be allowed:

• •every judgment of the Court (except a judgment relating to a preliminary or incidental matter) must be accompanied by reasons.