If at her or his arraignment the accused pleads not guilty a pre-trial conference (also called a directions hearing) is fixed. The accused is required to attend, as is her or his lawyer. A Judge conducts the hearing to see if the case can be resolved without going to trial. There may be a number of different outcomes:

The pre-trial conference may be adjourned if the Judge feels that further negotiations may resolve the case or where additional material is still to be supplied by the DPP. If no agreement is reached at the pre-trial conference the judge sets a trial date. Questions such as which witnesses are to be called by the prosecution, whether there are any legal issues to be decided by a Judge before any evidence is heard by the jury and how long the trial might take are then discussed.