Encouraging appropriate early guilty pleas
Reference received: 1 March 2013
Report
Report 141: Encouraging appropriate early guilty pleas [PDF, 3.36Mb], December 2014
Tabled in parliament: 23 June 2015
Implementation: Justice Reforms announced 9 May 2017
Legislative action: Justice Legislation Amendment (Committals and Guilty Pleas) Act 2017 (NSW)
Consultation paper
Consultation Paper 15: Encouraging appropriate early guilty pleas - Models for discussion [PDF, 2.62Mb], November 2014
Submissions
All of the submissions received for this reference can be accessed here.
Terms of reference
On 30 July 2013, the Attorney General widened the terms of reference so that we are to review encouraging early appropriate guilty pleas in all criminal matters in NSW. This includes matters dealt with summarily and on indictment. As of the 30 July 2013, the terms of reference are:
Refer to the Law Reform Commission an inquiry, pursuant to section 10 of the Law Reform Commission Act 1967, aimed at encouraging early pleas of guilty in all criminal matters dealt with in NSW.
Specifically, the Commission is to identify opportunities for legislative and operational reforms to encourage appropriate early pleas of guilty in criminal proceedings for all criminal matters.
In undertaking this review the Commission should have regard to:
The organisational capacities and arrangements for the courts, police, prosecution and defence
The Trial Efficiency Working Group
Developments in Australia and overseas
Any related matters the Commission considers appropriate