In just three years the Criminal Procedure Rules has evolved from a document that most thought would have little impact upon the criminal courts, to being an essential litigation framework that criminal practitioners ignore at their peril. Amendments to the rules in later years now provide a cradle to grave pathway for practitioners to follow and codify the rules that were previously set out in hundreds of different documents. The emphasis on bringing cases more quickly through the system, along with costs sanctions for non-compliance with the rules, means that practitioners cannot afford to ignore the revolution taking place in the criminal courts.This practical and thorough book sets out the rules and explains the legislative and case law developments that give them their teeth. All key rulings including cases such as R v Musone and R (Kelly) v Warley Justices are explained in full. This second edition also incorporates: Law Society guidance on solicitors' duties under the criminal procedure rules; the Adult Case Management Framework; and, practice guidance and protocols on trials involving youths, fraud, disclosure and terrorism.