Consultations

We want to hear your views about our prosecution policy. You can help us to be better informed, fairer and more representative by participating in our consultations.

Latest Consultations

Public consultation on the interim guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media

The CPS has published interim guidelines for prosecutors on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media. The purpose of this consultation is to seek a range of views on the interim guidelines.

We want to know what you think. Closing date: 13 March 2013.

Public consultation on the CPS' interim guidelines on Concurrent Jurisdiction (This consultation is now open)

The CPS has published interim guidelines to prosecutors on the handling of cases where the jurisdiction to prosecute is shared by prosecuting authorities here and overseas.

The guidelines have immediate effect, but are subject to review after a consultation period of three months, which concludes on 31 January 2013 .

How to respond to consultations

Visit the consultation page
Read the consultation documents
You can respond to the consultation in writing or by email
There may be a consultation response sheet to download and complete
Send your response to the email address or post address listed on the consultation page
Make sure you submit your response by the closing date

Latest consultation outcomes

Guidelines for prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has published final guidelines on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media.

This follows a public consultation on the interim guidelines which was launched on 18 April 2012. The DPP undertook to produce the guidelines when he gave evidence on 8 February 2012 to the inquiry being conducted by Lord Justice Leveson into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.

The final guidelines are broadly the same as the interim guidelines but they have been amended in a number of sections to reflect views and comments received during the consultation process. A summary of responses to the consultation has also been published.

The guidelines set out the additional considerations which are relevant when prosecutors assess whether a prosecution is required in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Each case will be considered on its own facts and on its own merits before a decision is made whether to prosecute.

The guidelines and summary of responses were published on 13 September 2012.

The guidelines (approx 84kb) and summary of responses (approx 37kb) are also available in PDF format.

Download a Welsh version of the guidelines in pdf format (approx 69kb)