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Clause 145

requires the Magistrates' Court to transfer related summary offences to the County or Supreme Court on committal of an accused for trial. This is a new process. Currently, when an accused is committed for trial, any related summary offences are adjourned sine die. These summary offences may then be dealt with after the proceeding in relation to the indictable offence has been completed. In many cases it will be more efficient for the County or Supreme Court to deal with the summary offences. In some cases this may involve the prosecution withdrawing the summary charges because these charges were alternative offences to the indictable offence and the accused is being dealt with for the indictable offence. In other cases, the matters may be able to be dealt with as part of a plea which also deals with the indictable offence. There may also be occasions in which it is efficient and practicable for the court to hear further evidence to determine the summary charge. Alternatively, it may be more appropriate to remit the summary offence to the Magistrates' Court to be determined. The clause provides a discretion to the court to order that related charges remain in the Magistrates' Court, but only if both parties consent.