A public consultation on a revision of the Code for Crown Prosecutors
The consultation process
The purpose of this consultation is to seek a range of views on the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
We welcome your comments by no later than 10 October 2012.
Questions for consultation
You can read the draft Code for Crown Prosecutors (2012), including the questions that we are asking, by downloading the document in PDF format.
Alternatively, you can read the draft Code on this site
We have identified a number of questions which are outlined at the end of the Consultation Paper on which we would particularly invite comment.
If you are replying by email, we should be grateful if you would not attach any other documents to the consultation paper. There are limits on the size of documents that we are able to accept and any completed consultation document which has an attachment runs the risk of not being delivered. If you wish to send an attachment to us, please write to us separately at code.consultation@cps.gsi.gov.uk
If you use a special software programme to read the Consultation Document and you find that you have difficulty in reading it, please get in touch with the Team whose contact details are set out in the How to Respond section.
If you would like to return your replies to the question at the back of the Consultation Document by post, please download the draft Code for Crown Prosecutors in PDF format.
How to respond
Both written and electronic responses to the consultation are acceptable, although we would prefer electronic replies on the completed pro-forma.
Please be aware that if you complete and return this document by email, you will be responding over the open internet. If you would prefer, please complete and return the Word version to the postal address given below.
Please include your name, organisation (if applicable), postal address and email address
Closing date for responses: 10 October 2012
Responses can be sent by post to:
Code for Crown Prosecutors Consultation Team
Strategy and Policy Directorate
Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters – 9th Floor
Rose Court
Southwark Bridge
SE1 9HS
or by email to: code.consultation@cps.gsi.gov.uk
Alternative formats
If you require a copy of this Consultation Paper in any other format, for example, audio or large print, please contact the postal address above.
You can download a PDF version of this page from this website
Next steps
We will consider every individual response received. A summary of the consultation responses will be published on the CPS website in accordance with the Government's guidelines.
Responses: Confidentiality and disclaimer
The information you send us may be passed to colleagues within the CPS, the Government or related agencies. Furthermore, information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be published or disclosed in accordance with the access to information legislation including the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence. In view of this it would be helpful if you could briefly explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded as binding on the CPS.
Please ensure your response is marked clearly if you wish your response and name to be kept confidential. Confidential responses will be included in any statistical summary of numbers of comments received and views expressed. The CPS will process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 - in the majority of circumstances this will mean that your personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.
Welsh language documents
The following consultation documents are available in Welsh:
- Download the draft Code for Crown Prosecutors 2012 in Welsh, in PDF format (Adobe PDF document - 132kb)
- Darllenwch drafft Y Cod ar gyfer Erlynwyr y Goron yn Gymraeg, mewn fformat PDF
- Download the Welsh version of the consultation question and answer document (Microsoft Word file, 59kb)
- Dadlwythwch y fersiwn Cymraeg o'r ddogfen cwestiwn ac ateb ynghylch a'r ymgynghoriad (Ffeil Microsoft Word, 59kb)
The seven consultation criteria
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (DBIS) sets seven consultation criteria for running effective public consultations. These key consultation criteria are reproduced below.
Criterion 1 - When to consult
Formal consultation should take place at a stage when there is scope to influence the policy outcome.
Criterion 2 - Duration of consultation exercises
Consultations should normally last for at least 12 weeks with consideration given to longer timescales where feasible and sensible.
Criterion 3 - Clarity of scope and impact
Consultation documents should be clear about the consultation process, what is being proposed, the scope to influence and the expected costs and benefits of the proposals.
Criterion 4 - Accessibility of consultation exercises
Consultation exercises should be designed to be accessible to, and clearly targeted at, those people the exercise is intended to reach.
Criterion 5 - The burden of consultation
Keeping the burden of consultation to a minimum is essential if consultations are to be effective and if consultees' buy-in to the process is to be obtained.
Criterion 6 - Responsiveness of consultation exercises
Consultation responses should be analysed carefully and clear feedback should be provided to participants following the consultation.
Criterion 7 - Capacity to consult
Officials running consultations should seek guidance in how to run an effective consultation exercise and share what they have learned from the experience.
