Role of the CPS

The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for determining the charge and prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. Created by the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, we are an independent body that works closely with the police.

The head of the Crown Prosecution Service is the Director of Public Prosecutions (the Director) Sir Ken Macdonald QC. The Director is superintended by the Attorney General, who is responsible to Parliament for the Service. At the time that this scheme was compiled, the CPS employed around 8,000 staff, including around 2,500 lawyers. Every year they deal with more than 1.3 million cases in the magistrates’ court and about 115,000 in the Crown Court.

With headquarters based in London, York and Birmingham, we operate under a structure of 42 geographical Areas in England and Wales, divided into 15 regional groups. These Areas correspond with the boundaries of 43 police forces in England and Wales with The CPS London Area covering the operational boundaries of both City of London and Metropolitan Police Forces. Each Area is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) who is responsible for prosecutions within the Area. In London the CCP is supported by Sector Directors. Although CCPs are directly accountable for their Areas, most of the responsibilities for the efficient and effective administration of the Area fall to the Area Business Managers.

The Crown Prosecution Service is the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales. We are responsible for determining the charge in all but minor casees, advising the police during the early stages of an investigation, reviewing cases submitted by the police for prosecution, preparing cases for court and the presenting those cases at court. The role of the Service is to prosecute cases firmly, fairly and effectively when there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and when it is in the public interest to do so.