The Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book provides guidance and tools for criminal trial judges. The bench book contains specimen directions that are guidelines only and need to be tailored by judges appropriately to the facts and legal issues of the particular case. It is designed to assist them prepare their directions and summing-up in criminal trials. This includes helping judges to identify the key questions that the jury must address in reaching its verdict.

The direction and question trails are based on New Zealand statutes and cases law, especially that of the Court of Appeal. It is important to note that the bench book is not law, and it is not intended to develop the law.

The bench book is written by criminal trial judges, and it is overseen by a judicial editing committee, comprised of High Court and District Court judges, supported by legal staff from Te Kura Kaiwhakawā. The editing committee is responsible for reviewing and updating the bench book and updates to the bench book are released four times a year.