CPS London's role
The main role of London's Crown Prosecution Service is to prosecute people charged with a criminal offence.
Our lawyers determine the charge in all but minor cases. They review the evidence gathered by police and decide whether the case should go to court.
Their work involves:
- deciding charges on cases for prosecution
- reviewing prosecutions to ensure the right defendants are prosecuted on the right charges before the right court
- preparing cases for court
- presenting cases in magistrates' courts, the Crown Court and higher courts
In London we have deployed Duty Prosecutors in 45 Metropolitan, City and British Transport police stations in each of the capital's 32 boroughs and at Heathrow Airport.
A recent change in the law means that prosecutors, rather than the police, decide the charges that should be brought against suspects, except in very minor cases.
As the largest of the Crown Prosecution Services 42 geographical Areas, CPS London handles around 235,000 magistrates' court cases and more than 20,000 Crown Court cases a year.
This site is designed to provide you with more information about the work of CPS London.
Latest News
Press Release
CPS advises no charge against Edwin Pitkin
The CPS today announced that Edwin Pitkin will not face charges for the death of Mark Woods at Mr Pitkin's home in Enfield, London, last February.
Press Release
Levi Bellfield case was 'distressing'- lawyer
Even for prosecutors and caseworkers used to dealing with murder, the Levi Bellfield trial was an exception in its complexity and distressing detail, according to reviewing lawyer Andrew Hadik.