NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an example of an either-way offence?

1. Robbery

2. GBH

3. Theft

4. Speeding

The correct answer is: Speeding

Speeding is categorized as a summary offence rather than an either-way offence. In the UK legal system, either-way offences can be tried either in the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court, depending on the severity of the case and factors such as the defendant's previous record. Examples of either-way offences include robbery, which can be serious based on circumstances; grievous bodily harm (GBH), which allows for a range of severity; and theft, which can vary in seriousness. In contrast, speeding is typically dealt with in the Magistrates' Court and does not carry the same flexibility in terms of court where it is tried. This establishes speeding as an offence that does not fall under the definition of either-way offences. Understanding the classification of offences is crucial for applying the correct legal procedures and implications in court reporting.