Consultations about General Prosecution Policy
Current consultations
Consultations in which the CPS is seeking your contribution:
Closing date
Outline
13/03/2013
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.
Download the interim guidelines (Adobe PDF document - 119 kb)
Download the consultation response document (Microsoft Word file - 145 kb)
31/01/2013
Public consultation on the CPS' interim guidelines on Concurrent Jurisdiction
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 .
Expired consultations
The consultations that are now closed to responses and that are currently being assessed are listed below:
Consultation outcomes
These are consultations that have been completed, and your contributions have assisted in the creation of the following reports:
Date
Outline
20/12/2012
Joint Enterprise Charging Decisions
Read the Summary of responses from criminal justice agencies, academics, the judiciary and campaigners published after a targeted consultation (PDF document, approx 90kb).
13/09/2012
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)
07/07/2011
CPS Guidance on Perverting the Course of Justice – Charging in Cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations
The aim of the consultation was to seek a wide range of views to inform the guidance for Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors dealing with charging decisions in cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations. The new guidance has been published.
Available to download from this site
Perverting the Course of Justice - charging in cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations - on this site
Consultation on CPS Interim Guidance on Perverting the Course of Justice: Charging in cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations - Summary of responses - on this site
Also available in PDF format
Consultation on CPS Interim Guidance on Perverting the Course of Justice: Charging in cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations - Summary of responses
27/08/2010
CPS Single Equality Scheme 2010-11 Consultation Response
In preparation of its Single Equality Scheme, the Crown Prosecution Service undertook extensive consultation. We have worked in partnership with a wide range of community groups to help us shape this scheme from the onset and consulted our staff and the wider public. In many cases, we have been able to address the issues people have raised. In other cases, mindful of the fact that this is only a one-year scheme, we have had to note some observations and we will refer to these during the preparation of our next scheme.
Available in PDF format:
CPS Single Equality Scheme 2010-11 Consultation Response - English PDF
CPS Single Equality Scheme 2010-11 Consultation Response - Welsh PDF
22/02/2010
Public Consultation Exercise on The Code for Crown Prosecutors issued by The Director of Public Prosecutions summary of responses
The Code for Crown Prosecutors is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, and provides guidance to prosecutors. A public consultation on a new draft version of the Code was launched by the DPP and provided stakeholders and members of the public with an opportunity to comment. The CPS has carefully considered all the responses and, as a result, a number of significant changes to the draft version of the Code issued for consultation have been made. These changes are reflected in the sixth (2010) edition of the Code, which is published alongside this summary of responses.
Also available in PDF format:
Public Consultation on The Code for Crown Prosecutors summary of responses - English PDF
Public Consultation on The Code for Crown Prosecutors summary of responses - Welsh PDF
16/7/2009
Outcome of Code Consultation Statement
The aim of this consultation (run from 29 January 2009 to 23 April 2009) was to seek a wide range of views on proposed changes to the Code for Crown Prosecutors. There were two documents: a covering consultation paper with key questions inviting comments and contact points for a response; and the draft Code for Crown Prosecutors. The Code for Crown Prosecutors is subject to regular review and was last revised in 2004. The Code for Crown Prosecutors provides guidance on the general principles to be applied by Crown Prosecutors when making decisions about prosecutions.
