In judge-alone criminal trials in the ACT, a trial judge who incorporates standard directions by reference to another case rather than stating them expressly does not commit appealable error under s 68C of the Supreme Court Act 1933 (ACT), provided the directions incorporated are the fundamental directions common to every trial and no further direction peculiar to the trial was required. However, the preferable practice is for the trial judge to state the directions in his or her own reasons. If there is no reference at all to the relevant directions, the reasons will not comply with s 68C and will disclose appealable error.
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