22.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any fact of which oral evidence may be given in any criminal proceedings may be admitted for the purpose of those proceedings by or on behalf of the prosecution or the accused, and the admission by any party of any such fact under this section shall be against that party be conclusive evidence in those proceedings of the fact admitted.

(2) An admission under this section—

(a) may be made before or at the hearing,

(b) if made otherwise than in court, shall be in writing,

(c) if made in writing by an individual, shall be signed by the person making it and, if so made by a body corporate, shall be signed by a director or manager, or the secretary or clerk or some other similar officer of the body corporate,

(d) if made on behalf of an accused who is an individual, shall be made by his counsel or solicitor,

(e) if made at any stage before the hearing by an accused who is an individual, must be approved by his counsel or solicitor either at the time it was made or subsequently,

and any signature referred to in paragraph (c) shall be taken to be that of the person whose signature it appears to be unless the contrary is shown.

(3) An admission under this section for the purpose of proceedings relating to any matter shall be treated as an admission for the purpose of any subsequent criminal proceedings relating to that matter (including any appeal or retrial).

(4) An admission under this section may with the leave of the court be withdrawn in the proceedings for the purpose of which it is made or any subsequent criminal proceedings relating to the same matter.