High Court - Criminal Jurisdiction

Information

The High Court hearing criminal matters is known as the Central Criminal Court. In criminal matters, the High Court Judge sits with a jury of twelve. However, a verdict need not be unanimous in a case where there are not fewer than eleven jurors if ten of them agree on a verdict after a reasonable time has passed (not less than two hours).

A person refused bail in the District Court can apply to the High Court for bail. A person granted bail in the District Court can apply to the High Court to vary the conditions of bail. A person charged with murder can only apply to the High Court for bail.

Rules

The following types and categories of offences must be heard by the Central Criminal Court sitting with a judge and jury;

1. treason
2. encouragement or concealing knowledge of treason
3. offences relating to the obstruction of government and obstruction of the President
4. murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder
5. piracy
6. offences under the Genocide Act, 1973
7. rape, aggravated sexual assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault under the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990