New rules for plea reports

A new Practice Note - Sentencing Hearings: Expert Reports on Mental Functioning of Offenders commenced operation in the Supreme Court and County Court on a trial basis from 1 July 2017. It is intended to enhance the quality and reliability of expert evidence relied upon in plea and sentencing hearings in connection with questions of the mental functioning of persons who are to be sentenced. Each of the speakers are members of the Forensic Evidence Working Group who developed the Practice Note.