Pleas to the Charge

(1) After any pleas under rules 29 and 31, any objection under rule 30 and any applications under rules 32 and 33, have been dealt with, the accused shall be required (subject to paragraph (2) of this rule) to plead either guilty or not guilty to each charge on which he is arraigned. (2) Where a court is empowered by section 84 of the Act to find an accused guilty of an offence other than that charged or guilty of committing the offence in circumstances involving a less degree of punishment or where it could, after hearing the evidence, make a special finding of guilty subject to exceptions or variations in accordance with rule 58, the accused may plead guilty to such other offence to the offence charged as having been committed in circumstances involving a less degree of punishment or to the offence charged subject to such exceptions or variations.