R v Horncastle

Subject Matter

CRIME — Evidence — Hearsay — Victims giving written statements but unavailable at trial — Statements admitted in evidence — Whether statements constituting sole or decisive evidence — Whether admission infringing defendants’ Convention right to fair trial — Whether convictions safe — Human Rights Act 1998, Sch 1, Pt I, art 6(1)(3)(d) — Criminal Justice Act 2003, s 116

[2009] EWCA Crim 964; [2010] 2 AC 373; [2010] 2 WLR 47; [2009] 4 All ER 183; [2009] 2 Cr App R 230; [2009] WLR (D) 173, CA

[2009] UKSC 14; [2010] 2 AC 373; [2010] 2 WLR 47; [2010] 2 All ER 359; [2010] 1 Cr App R 194; [2009] WLR (D) 358; Case details, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

Criminal Law Review
R v Riat: hearsay - guidance - Horncastle - Al-Khawaja and Tahery [2013] Crim LR 60

R v Horncastle and others: evidence - admission at trial of written statement of witness who has died [2010] Crim LR 496

UK Supreme Court Blog
Case Comment: R v Horncastle [2009] UKSC 14 Case comment

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Introduction - Overview of Criminal Justice Act 2003: Hearsay Exceptions and Additional Safeguards - The Four Exceptions and Additional Safeguards for Hearsay Evidence F17.4

Hearsay Exceptions: (1) Hearsay Admissible by Agreement, Unavailable Witnesses and Business Documents - Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 116: Unavailable Witnesses - Leave in Fear Cases F17.21

Discretionary Exclusion of Hearsay Evidence F17.88

Discretionary Exclusion of Hearsay Evidence - Hearsay, Loss of Right to Cross-examine and Fair Trial Provisions F17.89

Discretionary Exclusion of Hearsay Evidence - Hearsay, Loss of Right to Cross-examine and Fair Trial Provisions - Illustrations of the Courts’ Approach F17.90

Discretionary Exclusion of Hearsay Evidence - Unconvincing and Superfluous Hearsay F17.95

Judicial Directions on Hearsay F17.96

Introduction F17.1

Hearsay Exceptions: (1) Hearsay Admissible by Agreement, Unavailable Witnesses and Business Documents - Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 116: Unavailable Witnesses F17.7

Hearsay Exceptions: (1) Hearsay Admissible by Agreement, Unavailable Witnesses and Business Documents - Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 116: Unavailable Witnesses - Fear F17.17

Hearsay Exceptions: (1) Hearsay Admissible by Agreement, Unavailable Witnesses and Business Documents - Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 116: Unavailable Witnesses - Relevance of Availability of Other Evidence F17.22

Hearsay Exceptions: (2) Hearsay Admissible in the Interests of Justice - Relationship with Other Hearsay Exceptions - A ‘limited residual power’ F17.37

Evidence Affecting the Credibility of Admissible Hearsay F17.86

Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 100: Gateways to Admissibility - Evidence of Substantial Probative Value in Relation to Matter in Issue of Substantial Importance - Credibility of Absent Witnesses F15.25

Scope and Rationale - Codification of Hearsay Rules F16.3

Scope and Rationale - Dangers of Hearsay Evidence F16.4

Scope and Rationale - Dangers of Hearsay Evidence - Hearsay and Defence Evidence F16.5

Scope and Rationale - Dangers of Hearsay Evidence - Hearsay and Fair Trial F16.6

Witness Anonymity Orders D14.78

Witness Anonymity Orders - Criteria - Sole or Decisive Evidence D14.83

Interpretation of Legislation - Relevance of Strasbourg Jurisprudence A7.14

Evidence - Hearsay Evidence A7.73