1. These Rules may be cited as the Yukon Territory Supreme Court Rules for Pre-hearing Conferences in Criminal Matters.

2. In these Rules,

“Court”

“Court” means the Supreme Court of the Yukon Territory; (Cour)

“judge”

“judge” means a judge of the Court. (juge)

3. A pre-hearing conference shall be held at such time and date and in such place and manner as a judge may direct, or at such further dates, times and places as the judge who presides at the pre-hearing conference may direct.

4. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge who presides at the pre-hearing conference, the pre-hearing conference shall be an informal meeting conducted in chambers at which a full and free discussion of the issues raised may occur without prejudice to the rights of the parties in any proceedings thereafter taking place.

5. Unless otherwise ordered by a judge, counsel for the Crown and counsel for the accused, each fully briefed in respect of the issues to be discussed at the pre-hearing conference, or, in the case of an accused who is not represented by counsel, the accused, shall be present at the pre-hearing conference.

6. A judge may require that an accused, represented by counsel, be available for consultation with counsel in respect of matters to be considered at the pre-hearing conference.

7. Without restricting the generality of Rule 3 or 4, the judge who presides at a pre-hearing conference may inquire into and discuss

• (a) the extent of disclosure made by the Crown and any further requests therefor by an accused or counsel for an accused;

• (b) the possibility of resolution of any or all of the issues in the proceeding, including the possible disposition of any or all counts contained in the indictment, whether by plea of guilty or otherwise;

• (c) the simplification of such issues as remain to be litigated at trial;

• (d) the possibility of obtaining admissions and agreements so as to facilitate a fair, just and expeditious determination of the proceedings;

• (e) the estimated duration of the trial;

• (f) the advisability of fixing a date for trial where one is not already fixed; and

• (g) any other matter that may assist in promoting a fair, just, and expeditious trial including the holding of further pre-hearing conferences.

8. The judge who presides at a pre-hearing conference may, at the discretion of the judge, direct that an anticipated pre-hearing motion be heard prior to the date fixed for trial, at such time and date as the Court deems fit or at such other time and date as may be convenient for counsel and the Court.