Crown Cases Reserved

Questions of law reserved on the trial of criminal cases at assize for consideration of the court of criminal appeal.

A court established by stat. 11 & 12 Vict. c. 78, composed of such of the judges of the superior courts of Westminster as were able to attend, for the consideration of questions of law reserved by any judge in a court of oyer and terminer, gaol delivery, or quarter sessions, before which a prisoner had been found guilty by verdict. 4 Steph. Com. 442. The trial judge was empowered to "state a case" for the opinion of that court. He could not be compelled to do so, and only a question of law could be raised. If the court considered that the point had been wrongly decided at the trial, the conviction would be quashed. Prior to this act a judge who had a doubt as to the correctness of his opinion in a criminal trial would sentence the prisoner, but would suspend punishment until he could consult his brother judges or Serjeants. By Act of 1907, the Court of Criminal Appeal was created and the Court for Crown Cases Reser?ed was abolished.

In English law. Questions of law arising in criminal trials at the assizes, (otherwise than by way of demurrer,) and not decided there, but reserved for the consideration of the court of criminal appeal.

Defined under Crown in Black's Law Dictionary.

A court established by St. 11 & 12 Vict. c. 78, composed of such of the judges of the superior courts of Westminster as were able to attend, for the zonsideration of questions of law reserved by any judge in a court of oyer and terminer, gaol delivery, or quarter sessions, before which a prisoner had been found guilty by verdict. Such question is stated in the form of a speeial case. Mozley & Whiteley; 4 Steph. Comm. 442. COURT FOR DIVORCE AND MAT-