Section 284: Where defendant appears to have been of unsound mind

Where the defendant appears to be of unsound mind at the time of any remand or similar pre-trial proceedings before a court, and the issue of the state of soundness of mind of the defendant is in issue, being a defence to the main offence for which he is arrested relating to insanity or intoxication, the court shall proceed to deal with the defendant in accordance with sections 278 to 291 of this Act and shall not make any finding of fact in relation to such defence that the defendant is open to plead at his trial for the offence.