This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Understand what happens during perjury case management hearings in England and Wales. This guide explains the criminal court process, plea stages, pre‑trial directions and participant roles in clear, accessible English.
Perjury is the offence of giving false evidence under oath in judicial proceedings. In England and Wales, it is created by section 1(1) of the Perjury Act 1911, and carries serious penalties including imprisonment for up to seven years when tried on indictment in the Crown Court. Section 1(1) states a person commits perjury if, having been lawfully sworn as a witness or interpreter, they willfully make a false statement that they know to be untrue and which is material to proceedings. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must provide corroborating evidence beyond the mere conflicting testimony of another witness.
Cases alleging perjury generally proceed through the criminal justice process, which includes structured pre‑trial hearings to manage the case before trial. While there is no procedure unique to “perjury case management hearings”, these function in the same way as other serious criminal cases in the Crown Court. This article explains what happens during those hearings, what participants should expect, and why they are important to the conduct of a perjury trial.
Legal Framework and Context
The Perjury Offence
Under the Perjury Act 1911, perjury is a triable‑only‑on‑indictment offence in England and Wales, meaning it must be tried in the Crown Court rather than a magistrates' court. Convictions can result in imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
Criminal Case Progression
Modern criminal procedure in England and Wales has abolished the old “committal” process. Instead, after prosecution in a magistrates' court, serious cases like perjury are sent or “committed” to the Crown Court where a key first hearing takes place before a judge and, if necessary, a jury.
Case Management Principles
The Criminal Procedure Rules (CrimPR) impose a duty on courts and parties to actively manage criminal cases to ensure they proceed fairly, efficiently and without unnecessary delay. Judges can give directions and timetables for disclosure, evidence preparation, and other pre‑trial matters.
What Is a Case Management Hearing in Perjury Matters?
In the Crown Court system, the principal case management event is known as the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH). This hearing fulfils the role of confirming the defendant's plea and organising the case before trial. Additional smaller mentions for case management may occur where needed before the trial is set.
The Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH)
Arraignment
At the start of a PTPH:
- The indictment (formal list of offences) is read out by the court clerk.
- The defendant is formally asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to each count. If the indictment contains multiple counts, the defendant may plead differently to each.
This step is called arraignment and establishes the course the case will follow.
If the Defendant Pleads Guilty
If the defendant pleads guilty to all counts:
- The judge may proceed to sentencing immediately or adjourn the case so that a pre‑sentence report can be prepared by probation services.
- A pre‑sentence report informs the court about personal circumstances, impact and risks, and assists the judge in determining an appropriate sentence within relevant guidelines.
For perjury, because it is treated as a serious offence, sentencing may involve preparation to ensure all relevant factors are considered.
If the Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
If the defendant pleads not guilty:
- The hearing moves into case management mode.
- The prosecution and defence identify the core issues in dispute, such as key factual questions, evidential matters and legal arguments.
- The parties discuss and update the court on anticipated evidence, including numbers and identity of witnesses, expert reports and any other materials needed for trial.
This stage allows the judge to give directions and a timetable for how the case will be prepared. That includes deadlines for the exchange of evidence, disclosure of unused material, and any applications the parties intend to make (for example, legal challenges to the admissibility of evidence).
Setting a Trial Date and Directions
A major purpose of the case management hearing is to fix a trial date and delegate responsibilities, including:
- Service dates for prosecution evidence and witness statements.
- Defence deadlines for statements of case and any expert evidence.
- Allocation of expected trial time so the court can schedule appropriately.
The judge seeks to ensure that the trial proceeds efficiently and that both sides are ready on the trial date.
Additional Administrative Matters
Depending on the circumstances, the judge may address:
- Arrangements for vulnerable witnesses or those requiring special measures (for example, screens or video links).
- Any preliminary legal disputes that must be resolved before trial.
- Administrative issues such as bail status or custody arrangements.
- Any further case management or “mention” hearings if specific issues arise.
Rights and Roles of Participants at Case Management Hearings
The Prosecution
Represented by advocates instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or other prosecuting authority, the prosecution outlines its case and evidential position. It must ensure key evidence is ready and that disclosure obligations under the Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA) are being met.
The Defence
The defence, typically represented by solicitors and barristers, responds to the prosecution's case, raises any points of contention, and sets out its anticipated evidence and witnesses. It must comply with directions and assist the court in managing the case.
The Court
The Crown Court judge actively manages the proceedings, directs the timetable, and ensures that necessary matters are addressed before the trial. The judge's role is to narrow the issues and confirm that the case is ready for trial.
Practical Context and What To Expect
Attendance and Public Access
Case management hearings in Crown Court are generally open to the public, unless sensitive matters (such as evidence involving vulnerable individuals) warrant a closed session. The public can attend, but these hearings typically involve fewer public details than the trial itself.
Preparation Before the Hearing
Both prosecution and defence should prepare core documents, disclose evidence promptly, and use case management forms as required by the Criminal Procedure Rules. Early preparation makes the hearing more productive and may reduce the need for further pre‑trial hearings.
Timeline to Trial
Where a not guilty plea is entered, after directions are given at a PTPH, the case will remain on the court list until the trial date. Further mentions might be listed to address specific issues as the trial approaches.
Common Questions
Are case management hearings in perjury cases different from other criminal cases?
No. Perjury cases follow the standard Crown Court management process seen in other serious indictable cases. The focus is on readiness for trial rather than the substance of perjury itself.
Can a case be resolved at a case management hearing?
While a verdict is not delivered, guilty pleas at this stage can lead directly to sentencing, and some issues might be resolved that narrow the trial's scope.
Does the judge decide guilt at a case management hearing?
No. Guilt is determined at trial before a jury, or in some cases by a judge alone, after evidence has been fully heard.
Key Takeaways
Perjury case management hearings in England and Wales form a structured part of the pre‑trial process in the Crown Court. Central to this is the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH), where the defendant enters a plea and the court organises the case for trial. Judges, prosecution and defence work together to set timetables, manage evidence and narrow issues before trial. Though not substantive evidence hearings, these are essential to the smooth progression of a perjury prosecution and ensure that cases proceed fairly and efficiently to trial.
