Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Practice Directions

The Criminal Procedure Rules first came into force in April 2005. Together with the Criminal Practice Directions, these rules govern the practice and procedure to be followed in all criminal courts including magistrates' courts, Crown Courts, Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and in extradition appeal cases before the High Court.

Since the rules first came into force they have been subject to numerous and significant amendments. They are usually amended twice a year, in April and October and a subject to a consolidation exercise every five years. The latest consolidation exercise took place on 6 October 2025 when the pre-existing 2020 version of the rules were revoked and replaced by the Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, SI 2025/909 (CrimPR 2025).

For information on CrimPR 2025, SI 2025/909, see Practice Notes: The Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Procedure Rules (CrimPR)—update October 2025.

For information on how the CrimPR has developed over the years, see the following archived Practice Notes which tracked the changes made:

1. •

   Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025, SI 2025/60, in force in part on 24 February 2025 and in full on 7 April 2025.