Defendant

What do I do when I get to court? | Who will be in court? | What should I call the judge? | What happens in the courtroom? | What happens after the hearing?

What do I do when I get to court?

If you are on bail then you must attend the courthouse in plenty of time for your court hearing.

When you arrive at the courthouse you will have to pass through security.

Once you and your advocate have arrived, you should report to the main courthouse reception. The receptionist will tell you which courtroom your case is in and where to wait.

When it is time for the hearing you will be called and escorted to the dock.

Who will be in court?

In court there will be:-

• the Deemster;
• the jury (if you are in court for trial by jury);
• your advocate;
• the advocate for the prosecution;
• generally any members of the public sitting in the public gallery (although there are a few occasions where the public are restricted from sitting in);
• the media and reporters (newspaper and radio);
• the court usher;
• the court clerk; and
• the dock officer.

What should I call the judge?

The judge in the Court of General Gaol is a Deemster and is addressed as:-

Your Honour

What happens in the courtroom?

If you are in court to enter your plea, for a bail matter or for sentence, you will remain in the dock. If you have an advocate, they will speak on your behalf and will inform you if you do need to speak.

If you are in court for a hearing or jury trial, the prosecution and defence advocates will set out their arguments. They may also call and question witnesses.

If you are asked to give evidence, you must be sworn in. To do this you will be asked to take the oath on a Holy Book of your religion, or you can affirm (promise) to tell the truth. The court usher will usually check with you before court which you want to do. You must read aloud from the oath/affirmation card. If you have trouble reading the card, the court usher will read it to you, you must repeat what they say.

The prosecution and defence advocates will then ask you some questions:-

• the defence advocate (your advocate) will go through your evidence first and ask you any questions;
• the prosecution advocate will then ask you any questions they wish to (cross-examine);
• the defence advocate will then have the chance to ask you any further questions (re-examine); and
• the Deemster will ask you any questions he wishes to ask.

What happens after the hearing?

At the end of the hearing, if you are remanded in custody you will be taken straight to prison. If you are granted bail:-

• for the first time then you will be required to sign a new bail bond before you are allowed to leave the courthouse, or
• on a continuing bail bond with the same terms and conditions then those continue to apply; or
• if the bail terms and conditions are varied then you will be required to sign the bail variation before you are allowed to leave the courthouse.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.