TIL that the United Kingdom has the notion of an appeal in a criminal case that will not affect the outcome of _this_ case.

> Where a person tried on indictment has been acquitted on all or part of an indictment, the Attorney General has the discretion to seek the opinion of the Court of Appeal on a point of law which has arisen in the case. The procedure is to clarify the law. It is not a means to change the outcome of the individual case.
-- https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/criminal-justice-act-1972-attorney-generals-reference-point-law-under-section-36#principle