Alison Saunders made a CB for services to law

02/01/2013

London's top prosecutor Alison Saunders has been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen's New Year's honours for continuing services to law. The award also recognised the contribution CPS London made during the London disorder of 2011.

She said: "I am honoured to be made a CB. I have always felt immensely privileged to work for the Crown Prosecution Service and I am lucky to be supported by staff in CPS London who are single minded in their dedication to delivering justice for victims and witnesses.

"The London disorder during the summer of 2011 was a hugely challenging time for CPS London. Along with other criminal justice agencies in London, we had to work quickly to put in place procedures to deal with an unprecedented situation. This award however is more in recognition of the hard work of staff across London who pulled together at this crucial time to maintain order and ensure justice was delivered swiftly."

Background

Alison joined the CPS in 1986, the year it was formed. She was appointed London's Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) after heading the CPS Organised Crime Division, which deals with the most serious offences, including human trafficking, immigration, drugs-running, counterfeiting and money laundering, and confiscation of criminals' assets.

Alison spent her early CPS career prosecuting in what was then known as CPS London South and then moved to the CPS Policy Directorate in 1991 where she developed an expertise in issues involving child victims and witnesses. Appointed Branch Crown Prosecutor for Wood Green in 1997, she was promoted to Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor in 1999.

Alison has prosecuted some of the country's most infamous criminals. Her role in the prosecution of 'Railway Rapist' David Mulcahy - convicted of a spate of sex attacks and murders during the 1980s - was highlighted in a TV documentary in 2001. That year Alison became Chief Crown Prosecutor Sussex, and in 2003 she served as Deputy Legal Advisor to the Attorney General before rejoining the CPS two years later as Head of the Organised Crime Division. As London CCP, Alison made the decision to prosecute Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. She then led the CPS London team which secured their conviction.