(1)Subject to the provisions of section 8(1)(c), 74 and 75(2) as respects courts comprising justices of the peace, all proceedings in the Crown Court shall be heard and disposed of before a single judge of that court.
(2)[F1Rules of court] may authorise or require a judge of the High Court, Circuit judge [F2 , Recorder or qualifying judge advocate ] , in such circumstances as are specified by the rules, at any stage to continue with any proceedings with a court from which any one or more of the justices initially constituting the court has withdrawn, or is absent for any reason.
(3)Where a judge of the High Court, Circuit judge [F3 , Recorder or qualifying judge advocate ] sits with justices of the peace he shall preside, and—
(a)the decision of the Crown Court may be a majority decision; and
(b)if the members of the court are equally divided, the judge of the High Court, Circuit judge [F3 , Recorder or qualifying judge advocate ] shall have a second and casting vote.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 73(2) substituted (1.9.2004) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3175), art. 3, Sch. para. 12(b) (with art. 2(2))
F2Words in s. 73(2) substituted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(c)
F3Words in s. 73(3) substituted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(c)