Criminal case disclosure conference

CCDC only applies to specific types of cases ⁽¹⁾. CCDC may apply to you if your case is tried in the District Court ⁽²⁾ or General Division of the High Court ⁽³⁾, and your charge is brought under any of the statutes below:

• Arms and Explosives Act
• Arms Offences Act
• Banishment Act
• Banking Act
• Casino Control Act
• Computer Misuse Act
• Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act
• Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act
• Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act
• Hijacking of Aircraft and Protection of Aircraft and International Airports Act
• Immigration Act (other than sections 6 and 15)
• Infrastructure Protection Act 2017
• Internal Security Act
• Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act
• Misuse of Drugs Act
• Moneylenders Act
• Oaths and Declarations Act
• Official Secrets Act
• Passports Act
• Penal Code
• Prevention of Corruption Act
• Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014
• Prisons Act
• Protected Areas and Protected Places Act
• Public Entertainments Act
• Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018
• Remote Gambling Act 2014
• Securities and Futures Act
• Sedition Act
• Vandalism Act

The court will direct the prosecution to prepare and provide hard copies of the Case for the Prosecution to you.

For cases heard in the District Court, this will contain the following: ⁽⁴⁾

• The charge against you.
• The Summary of Facts.
• A list of the prosecution’s witnesses.
• A list describing the documents and items which will be produced as evidence.
• Any written statements made by you to a law enforcement officer that the prosecution intends to use as evidence.
• A list of every statement, made by you to a law enforcement officer recorded in the form of an audiovisual recording, that the prosecution intends to use as evidence. Transcripts (if any) of these audiovisual recordings are also to be included.
  • If you request, the prosecution must arrange for you to view the audiovisual recording of each statement.

For cases heard in the General Division of the High Court, this will contain the following: ⁽⁵⁾

• The charge against you.
• A list of the prosecution's witness.
• A list describing the documents and items which will be produced as evidence.
• Written statements from witnesses that the prosecution intends to use as evidence.
• Any written statements made by you to a law enforcement officer that the prosecution intends to use as evidence.
• A list of every statement, made by you to a law enforcement officer recorded in the form of an audiovisual recording, that the prosecution intends to use as evidence. Transcripts (if any) of these audiovisual recordings are also to be included.
  • If you request, the prosecution must arrange for you to view the audiovisual recording of each statement.

After you have received the prosecution’s case, you should:

• Read and consider it carefully. It contains evidence on which the prosecution will be relying on to prove your guilt.
• Review the prosecution's case and decide whether you still want to claim trial or plead guilty
• Inform the court of your decision during the next CCDC.

If you decide to plead guilty

If you decide to plead guilty, the court will transfer your case to a Sentencing Court for your plea of guilt to be taken and for your sentencing.

You will need to prepare the following documents for your Case for the Defence:

• A summary of your defence and the relevant supporting facts you wish to rely on.
• A list of your witnesses.
  • Your list must include the names and particulars of your witnesses.
• A list describing the documents and items you intend to produce in court as your evidence.
• Any objections you may wish to raise to the Case for the Prosecution.
  • You will need to state the nature of the objection and the issue of fact on which you will be producing evidence.

You must:

• Prepare your Case for the Defence in English.
• Provide a copy of your case to the court as well as the prosecution within the timeline stipulated by the court.

If you need help with the legal aspects of your Case for the Defence, you should seek legal advice.

After serving your Case for the Defence

After you have served the Case for the Defence on the prosecution, you must serve on the prosecution a copy of each documentary exhibit in your possession, custody or power that is mentioned in the Case for the Defence.

This must be done within 2 weeks after the date the Case for the Defence was served.

• The documents found in the Case for the Prosecution.
• Any other written statements and transcripts of any other statements recorded by audiovisual recording.
• The list describing the documents and items which will be produced as evidence (only applicable for cases heard in the District Court.) ⁽⁷⁾
• Your criminal records, if any, upon payment of the prescribed fee.

Do review and consider the prosecution’s case carefully before you decide whether to claim trial or to plead guilty.

Refer to Chapter 4: Pre-trial Conference of the Guidebook for Accused in Person (PDF, 373 KB).

Legislation associated with this topic includes Part IX and X (Sections 157 to 221) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Refer to:

• Part XIV of the Supreme Court Practice Directions for cases heard in the Supreme Court.
• Part XVIII of the State Courts Practice Directions for cases heard in the State Courts.