Paul Whittaker, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire

Born and educated in North Wales, Paul was a student in Liverpool before being called to the bar in 1977. Following a short period in chambers, he entered the Magistrates' Court Service in 1980, initially at Liverpool City Magistrates before moving to Cheshire.

In 1985 he joined the newly formed North Wales Police Prosecuting Solicitors' Office, transferring to the CPS in 1986. He became a Branch Crown Prosecutor for the North Wales Branch in 1997 and was appointed Chief Crown Prosecutor for North Wales in 1999.

Throughout his CPS career, he has been active as a trainer and has represented the CPS nationally on a number of inter-agency working groups. He has been closely involved with a number of the recent reforms, including Direct Communication with Victims, CPS Charging, Pre Trial Witness Interviewing, Community Justice and Conditional Cautioning.

Between December 2002 and October 2004. he was on secondment to CPS HQ leading on delivery of statutory charging. He took up post as Chief Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside in October 2004 and assumed responsibility for CPS Mersey-Cheshire in 2010.  He remains closely involved with developments in charging and conditional cautioning and is ensuring the Area is leading the way on electronic working.