Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, explains our current priorities

"CPS London and its dedicated staff have achieved a huge amount over the past year. Over the coming months and into the next financial year there will be a number of exciting and challenging developments.

One of our biggest priorities will be implementing the electronic case file, which is fundamentally changing the way we work. By April 2012, all of our local units will receive their case files electronically from the police. We will also be starting to share case papers and information electronically with the courts and defence and will be working towards getting the electronic file into court, allowing lawyers to prosecute from electronic devices such as laptops. This will contribute to our drive to become more efficient and effective.

The early guilty plea scheme is to be introduced in two London crown courts. A successful scheme will reduce the need for unnecessary trial preparation and mean our resources can be concentrated on those cases which will definitely go to trial.

Stop Delaying Justice is another important initiative which will ensure our resources are used appropriately whilst progressing other cases quickly and fairly in the magistrates' court. There has been lots of planning and training so next year will be about implementing and embedding this way of working.

Both of these schemes not only allow us to concentrate our resources on cases which go to trial, but will also mean witnesses should not be warned unnecessarily and waiting times for trials will be shorter, benefitting victims and witnesses. 

We will be moving ahead with plans to consolidate staff in to three buildings. This will create larger, more resilient and flexible teams which can better support each other. This will also allow us to look at our structure to ensure it is as effective as it can be.

HMCPSI's follow up report on London will be available soon which will hopefully validate the work which has gone on so far and confirm our priorities for the future.

As you can see there is a lot to do, but I have confidence in CPS London staff's dedication and hard work. This has been demonstrated already, particularly in dealing with the summer disorder. Staff also recognise that once embedded, the above projects and initiatives will bring about real benefits to the service and allow us to focus resources on our key priorities and improve the service we provide to Londoners."