Portsmouth Crown Court listings

Hearing types explained

Plea and Trial Preparation

The first Crown Court hearing after a case is sent up from the magistrates. The defendant enters a plea and, if it is not guilty, a trial date and directions are set.

For Sentence

A hearing at which the judge passes sentence after a guilty plea or conviction. It can be adjourned for reports.

For Trial

The trial itself, before a judge and jury.

Trial (Part Heard)

A trial that has started and is continuing on another day.

For Directions

A short case-management hearing to fix timetables and resolve issues before trial.

For Pre-Trial Review

A check that both sides are ready for the trial date.

For Application

A hearing on a specific request, for example to vary bail conditions or exclude evidence.

For Application for Bail

A request for the defendant to be released on bail pending trial or sentence.

Breach of Suspended Sentence

The defendant is alleged to have broken the terms of a suspended prison sentence or committed a further offence.

Appeal

An appeal from the magistrates' court, heard by a judge sitting with magistrates.

Committal for Sentence

A case sent to the Crown Court by the magistrates because their sentencing powers were not enough.

Mention

A brief hearing to deal with an administrative point.

Case Started / Hearing finished

Status board events. "Hearing finished" means that hearing has ended for the day; it does not state the outcome.

Jury Retired

The jury has gone out to consider its verdict.