Contents of full brief
41 Contents of full brief
Unless earlier disclosed to the accused, whether in a preliminary brief, at a summary case conference or otherwise, a full brief must contain—
a notice in the form prescribed by the rules of court—
explaining this section and section 83; and
explaining the importance of the accused obtaining legal representation; and
advising that the accused has the right, if eligible, to legal aid under the Legal Aid Act 1978; and
providing details of how to contact Victoria Legal Aid; and
a copy of the charge-sheet relating to the alleged offence; and
S. 41(1)(ba) inserted by No. 32/2024 s. 815.
if applicable, a copy of the record of reasons; and
S. 41(1)(c) amended by No. 81/2011 s. 5.
a copy of the criminal record of the accused or a statement that the accused has no previous convictions or infringement convictions; and
any information, document or thing on which the prosecution intends to rely at the hearing of the charge including—
a copy of any statement relevant to the charge signed by the accused, or a record of interview of the accused, that is in the possession of the informant; and
a copy, or a transcript, of any audio‑recording or audiovisual recording required to be made under Subdivision (30A) of Division 1 of Part III of the Crimes Act 1958; and
S. 41(1)(d)(iii) amended by No. 68/2009 s. 49(a).
a copy or statement of any other evidentiary material that is in the possession of the informant relating to a confession or admission made by the accused relevant to the charge; and
a list of the persons the prosecution intends to call as witnesses at the hearing, together with a copy of each of the statements made by those persons; and
Note
See section 47 for requirements for statements.
a legible copy of any document which the prosecution intends to produce as evidence; and
a list of any things the prosecution intends to tender as exhibits; and
a clear photograph, or a clear copy of such a photograph, of any proposed exhibit that cannot be described in detail in the list; and
a description of any forensic procedure, examination or test that has not yet been completed and on which the prosecution intends to rely as tending to establish the guilt of the accused; and
any evidentiary certificate issued under any Act that is likely to be relevant to the alleged offence; and
any other information, document or thing in the possession of the prosecution that is relevant to the alleged offence including—
a list of the persons (including experts) who have made statements or given information relevant to the alleged offence but who the prosecution does not intend to call as witnesses at the hearing; and
a copy of every statement referred to in subparagraph (i) made by each of those persons or, if the person has not made a statement, a written summary of the substance of any evidence likely to be given by that person or a list of those statements or written summaries; and
a copy of every document relevant to the alleged offence that the prosecution does not intend to tender as an exhibit at the hearing or a list of those documents; and
a list containing descriptions of any things relevant to the alleged offence that the prosecution does not intend to tender as exhibits at the hearing; and
a clear photograph, or a clear copy of such a photograph, of any thing relevant to the alleged offence that cannot be described in detail in the list; and
a copy of—
records of any medical examination of the accused; and
reports of any forensic procedure or forensic examination conducted on the accused; and
the results of any tests—
carried out on behalf of the prosecution and relevant to the alleged offence but on which the prosecution does not intend to rely; and
a copy of any other information, document or thing required by the rules of court to be included in a full brief; and
S. 41(1)(e)(viii) inserted by No. 1/2022 s. 10.
subject to section 32C of the Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958, a copy of any information, document or thing that is relevant to the credibility of a witness for the prosecution; and
Example
The witness' criminal history (including pending charges), or the giving of a letter of assistance to the witness, the reduction of criminal charges against the witness, other favourable treatment in a criminal proceeding, or any payment or reward provided, as a result of the witness' cooperation with police.
if the informant refuses to disclose any information, document or thing that is required to be included in the full brief, a written notice that the informant refuses disclosure under section 45, identifying the ground for refusing disclosure.
Section 48 applies to information and other material supplied in a full brief.
S. 41(3) inserted by No. 5/2025 s. 31.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(e), relevant includes, in relation to information, documents and things, any information, document or thing that might reasonably be expected to—
undermine the case for the prosecution; or
assist the case for the accused.
Notes to s. 41 amended by No. 68/2009 s. 51(n).
Notes
1 See section 416 as to the prosecution's general obligation of disclosure.
2 Section 39(4) enables an informant and an accused to agree to the provision of less material in the full brief than is required by section 41.
3 If the Magistrates' Court hears and determines a charge in the absence of the accused, section 83 provides that certain documents in a full brief served on the accused are admissible in evidence.
4 See section 86 as to proof of criminal record in the absence of the accused.
This Act’s bill:Explanatory memorandumSecond reading speech
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