A magistrates' court's power to stay a prosecution was to be exercised in only the most exceptional circumstances in order to prevent an unfair trial or to protect the integrity of the criminal process. A failure to provide disclosure due to service of material in good faith at an incorrect address did not justify a stay for abuse of process where the situation could have been remedied by an adjournment.

DC (Beatson LJ, Griffith Williams J)

11/12/2013