Major reforms to the way serious crimes are dealt with will see shorter trials and shorter waiting
times for hearings.

The new laws streamline the way courts hear major criminal cases.

The changes include:

• requiring case statements from both prosecution and defence prior to arraignment, helping to better identify and narrow matters that are in dispute prior to trial
• greater control of the process by the courts rather than lawyers.

Background

Longstanding concerns about delays in disposing of major criminal matters have been have been the subject of a major reform project led by the AttorneyGeneral’s Department.

Changes to the way major criminal matters are handled were developed, following extensive consultation.