Archived Articles

Date

Outline

11/03/2011

Challenge and opportunity - DPP's address to the London Justices' Clerks' Society

I have been asked to tell you a little bit about what the CPS is doing to save money and promote efficiency in light of the Spending Review.

02/03/2011

Prosecuting disability hate crime: the next frontier - DPP's speech to the University of Sussex

John (not his real name) is a 45 year old, disabled man, who lives alone. He was born with Cerebral Palsy. As a result, he has difficulty with walking and has to use a walking stick for support. Although, he walks with an obvious limp and stumbles frequently, his independence is very important to him so he tries to get out as much as possible.

15/09/2010

Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales Annual Conference 2010 Lecture by Keir Starmer QC

Lecture to the 2010 Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales Annual Conference by Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions.

22/07/2010

The death of Ian Tomlinson - decision on prosecution

Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, announced today that no charges will be brought in relation to the death of Ian Tomlinson at the 'G20 protests' in London on 1 April 2009.

25/06/2010

The suicide of Mr Raymond Cutkelvin - decision on prosecution

Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, has today said that while there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Alan Cutkelvin Rees and Dr Michael Irwin in relation to the death of Raymond Cutkelvin at a Dignitas clinic in Switzerland in February 2007, such a prosecution would not be in the public interest and no further action should be taken against them.

25/02/2010

DPP's Introductory Remarks on Assisted Suicide Policy, 25 FEB 2010

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer QC published a new Assisted Suicide Policy today and made the following introductory remarks:

04/11/2009

Criminal Justice: System or Service’: Keir Starmer QC, DPP

This month (November 4, 2009) Keir Starmer QC, DPP, was keynote speaker at The James Smart Memorial Lecture in London.

21/10/2009

Public prosecution service annual lecture - the role of the prosecutor in a modern democracy

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, defended the Human Rights Act and emphasised the importance of the discretion and independence of prosecutors at the Public Prosecution Service Annual Lecture.

23/07/2009

The Public Prosecution Service -
Setting the Standard

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, has today published his plan for taking forward the public prosecution service, at the heart of the criminal justice service.

05/06/2009

Supplement to legal guidance on confiscation

In the recently reported case of R v Paulet the Court of Appeal invited the DPP to consider issuing guidance to prosecutors on the issues that may arise when considering whether to instigate confiscation proceedings.

21/05/2009

Find out what prosecutors say about the first CPS Football Conference (video clips)

The first Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Football Prosecutors conference was the best opportunity for staff of the CPS, Home Office, UK Football Policing Unit, Football Association and Professional Football Association to gather and share good practice, said Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and CPS lead on football issues.

16/04/2009

Decision on prosecution - Mr Christopher Galley and Mr Damian Green MP

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, has decided there should be no charges brought against MP Damian Green or Home Office civil servant Christopher Galley, following a Metropolitan Police Service investigation into leaks of information from the Home Office.

08/04/2009

Commendation for CPS lawyers

Three CPS lawyers have been praised by police for their part in a crack-down on North London criminals which resulted in 21 men receiving jail sentences.

31/03/2009

Welcome to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) web site.

The site has been redesigned to represent better local communities and make it easier for visitors to find information they need and learn more about our work.

10/03/2009

Opening speech for the CPS youth conference: The role of the youth prosecutor

A speech given by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, to the delegates of the CPS Youth Conference on 10 March 2009.

09/01/2009

CPS Speech - A prosecution service for the 21st century

This is the transcript of the address by Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions at London Metropolitan University on Friday 9th January 2009.

09/12/2008

Decision On Prosecution - The Death By Suicide Of Daniel James

Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions has today said that, while there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction of Mark and Julie James in relation to the death by suicide of their son Daniel, such a prosecution is not in the public interest and no further action should be taken either against them or against a family friend who assisted them.

20/10/2008

CPS Lecture - Coming Out Of The Shadows

A call for level headedness and legislative restraint in an age of danger and risk was made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald QC in the inaugural CPS Lecture, the full transcript of which is available on this website.

06/10/2008

Prosecuting disability hate crime

In a speech today, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, urged police and prosecutors who deal with cases involving disability hate crime to ensure that courts are given all the facts so that sentences can reflect the seriousness of the crime.

05/03/2008

Free Expression and the Rule of Law

The Director of Public Prosecutions gave a speech about free expression and the rule of law on Tuesday 4 March at the Birmingham Law School. In the speech he addressed whether there are or should be appropriate limits to free speech, the approach of the criminal law, over time, to this issue and the role of prosecutors.

21/11/2007

West Midlands CPS publishes leaflet on Honour Crimes and Forced Marriages

West Midlands CPS has launched a leaflet with the aim of encouraging more victims and witnesses to report so-called honour crimes and forced marriages.

09/10/2007

Comprehensive Spending Review

The Government has today announced the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review - which sets budgets and performance targets for government departments for the next three financial years (April 2008 to March 2011).

22/06/2007

Attorney General's Office news release - CPS proves to be a good performer in Government's Capability Review

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has made huge progress over the last few years, according to the Capability Review - published by the Cabinet Office today, 22nd June 2007. The Capability Review also places the CPS in a good position on the list of Whitehall departments evaluated by this review process.

26/03/2007

Corporate identity review

On 26 March, the CPS introduced its new logo, as part of an overall review of its corporate identity.

27/02/2007

Disability Hate Crime Policy published

The Crown Prosecution Service has published a public policy statement to explain how it will prosecute cases of disability hate crime. The CPS has developed this Disability Hate Crime Policy in consultation with a number of disability organisations.

21/02/2007

Youth case clarifies POCA legislation

A case involving a teenager notorious for his fraudulent activity on eBay has clarified the issue that existed within the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 - section 70.

23/01/2007

Security and Rights

The Director of Public Prosecutions gave a major speech on 'Security and Rights' to the Criminal Bar Association on 23rd January 2007. Full text attached.

05/12/2006

CPS Single Equality Scheme 2006-2010

This Scheme sets out the Disability Equality Actions that will be undertaken by the Crown Prosecution Service in order to meet its statutory duty under the Disability Discrimination Act. The Scheme builds on Crown Prosecution Service Race Equality Scheme 2005-2008 and sets out Gender Equality Actions, in advance of the April 2007 deadline. The Scheme also incorporates equality and diversity actions in respect of age, religion or belief and sexuality and gender identity.

01/12/2006

Memorandum of understanding on co-operation between the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation and the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales

The Crown Prosecution Service has published the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation and the Director of Public Prosecutions in London on 15 November 2006.

27/11/2006

CPS law clerk receives commendation from Judge in fraud case

Jill Savin, a law clerk for the CPS Special Casework Unit, has received a commendation from His Honour Judge Testar for her work in securing the convictions of ten men accused of fraud, totalling £3 million.

27/11/2006

Cockle-pickers investigation and prosecution wins Justice Shield

CPS Lancashire was one of the criminal justice agencies involved in Operation Lund which has scooped top prize in the Justice Awards 2006.

27/11/2006

CPS earns praise for promoting diversity

A report published by HMCPS Inspectorate has praised the steady progress achieved by the CPS in relation to work-force diversity.

18/07/2006

CPS Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2005-06

The Director's Annual Report to the Attorney General and Resource Accounts, were laid before Parliament today.

22/05/2006

Treasury Counsel Review Report

The Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has accepted the recommendations of a review of the current Treasury Counsel arrangements.

05/05/2006

Victims' Advocates - Judicial Protocol published

Applying to offences of murder or manslaughter charged after 24 April 2006, the Victims' Advocates pilot allows the family of a victim to make a statement in open court about the effect of the crime on their family.

10/11/2005

CCP consults with local communities

David Archer, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Avon and Somerset, met with representatives of faith based and BME communities on 28th September 2005 to give an overview of the CPS and where we fit into the Criminal Justice System. He outlined recent developments to attendees including representatives from the British Muslim for young Afro-Caribbean males and Bristol City Council Race forum, regarding issues such as the Charging initiative, Witness Care Units, the policy on prosecution of Hate Crime and summarised the CPS Equality & Diversity practice, employment policy and diversity awareness training.

10/11/2005

Somerset Specialist Domestic Abuse Court increases cases brought to justice

The number of domestic abuse cases brought to justice in western Somerset from 61.8% at the end of last year to 72.3% in September.

10/11/2005

Hundreds turn out for the Old Bridewell Police Station open day

On Saturday 15th October, representatives from the police, CPS, Bristol Youth Offending Team and other Criminal Justice Agencies were on hand when hundreds of people flooded through the doors of Old Bridewell Police Station for a last chance to see inside the historic Bristol landmark.

10/11/2005

Taunton Witness Care Unit to the media

Following the successful launch of the Bristol Witness Care Unit in March, Avon and Somerset's second Witness Care Unit, based in Taunton, was officially launched to the media on Monday 17th October.

10/11/2005

South Somerset Magistrates Court throws open it's doors

On Saturday 22nd October, South Somerset Magistrates' Court in Yeovil welcomed around 400 visitors when members of the public were given the chance to see behind its doors.

09/11/2005

CPS to strengthen its commitment to Muslim community engagement

The first of a series of events focused on strengthening the CPS' commitment to engagement with Muslim communities takes place next year in Cardiff.

04/11/2005

Consultation exercise - The Children's Charter

CPS Policy Directorate has prepared a document, the Children's Charter, explaining the way we deal with cases where children are involved as victims or witnesses. The Charter is for children, their parents, guardians and carers and for those who work to support children. Organisations that work with children have been involved in the preparation of the document.

21/10/2005

The Prosecutors' Pledge

From today, the Attorney General is introducing a ten point Pledge that describes the level of service that victims can expect to receive from prosecutors. Prosecutors play a key role in protecting victims' interests, in particular when accepting pleas and during sentencing. The Pledge is a further step towards the objective of placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice system and is applicable to all prosecuting authorities, including advocates instructed by the prosecuting authorities in the Crown Court.

21/07/2005

The Criminal Case Management Framework

The Lord Chief Justice, the Attorney General, Lord Falconer and Fiona Mactaggart issued the second edition of the Criminal Case Management Framework (CCMF) on 21 July 2005.

23/03/2005

Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate for Justice and Community Safety

The proposals outlined in this consultation document 'Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate for Justice and Community Safety' will achieve a stronger inspectorate for the criminal justice system that focuses on assuring the public, driving improvements in services, whilst reducing the burden on the front line by adopting a risk based approach.

10/01/2005

CPS London takes to the web

A web site designed by CPS London to provide the public with a better understanding of the Area's work went live today (Monday 10th Jan).

11/12/2004

The Conditional Caution

Provision for Conditional Cautioning is one of the measures introduced by the Criminal Justice Act, 2003. (CJA 2003, Part 3, sections 22-27).

15/10/2004

Memorandum of Understanding between the CPS and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) concerning Section 46 Sexual Offences Act 2003

We are pleased to publish this Memorandum of Understanding between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) concerning Section 46 Sexual Offences Act 2003.

21/07/2004

IPCC and CPS agreement will improve inquiries into deaths in police custody

A joint Crown Prosecution Service and Independent Police Complaints Commission agreement has been signed today to improve the effectiveness of investigations into deaths in police custody and other major incidents.

21/07/2004

The Criminal Case Management Framework

The Lord Chief Justice, the Attorney General, Lord Falconer and Baroness Scotland issued the Criminal Case Management Framework (CCMF) on 21 July 2004.

19/07/2004

A Vision for Justice - New CJS Strategic Plan launched

The Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Attorney General launched the first five year strategic plan for the criminal justice system which sets out the Government's vision of the system in 2008. An ongoing programme of reform will create a future of improved witness and victim care, tougher enforcement of penalties and fast-tracking of repeat offenders.

14/07/2004

Chief Inspector's report

The efforts of the CPS to communicate with victims, improve the treatment of vulnerable witnesses and engage the community have been praised by the Service's Chief Inspector.

14/07/2004

Inspectors hail staff dedication

CPS Bedfordshire managers and staff have shown dedication in the face of heavier workloads and the introduction of new initiatives, say inspectors.

12/07/2004

Chief Inspector praises Hampshire staff

The head of the CPS Inspectorate has praised staff and managers of CPS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for improving the Area's performance.

28/06/2004

South Wales praised over domestic violence case handling

South Wales Area's handling of domestic violence cases has been praised by CPS inspectors.

21/06/2004

CPS scoops top Legal Trainee award

The CPS has won top prize at the inaugural LawCareers.Net/Trainee Solicitors' Group Training and Recruitment Awards.

04/06/2004

All grounds ban for football hooligan aged 10

A 10-year-old boy, thought to be the youngest person convicted of football hooliganism, has been banned from every ground in England and Wales.

02/06/2004

Chief Crown Prosecutor Speaks at Jewish Religious Festival

As part of CPS Avon & Somerset's ongoing community engagement programme, Chief Crown Prosecutor, David Archer gave a presentation about the CPS to the Bristol Progressive Jewish Congregation to mark the holy festival of Shavuot on 25th May. Speaking at the event, David said:

02/06/2004

Area wins appeal over racist language case

Judges have ruled that the phrase "bloody foreigners" could be considered racist after CPS Hampshire appealed against a youth court decision.

02/06/2004

Interview with David Archer, Chief Crown Prosecutor

An interview with David Archer, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Avon & Somerset was broadcast by BBC Points West television news on Thursday 27th May.

02/06/2004

Sex tourist jailed after CPS advice

A concert pianist has become the first person to be convicted under Britain's new "sex tourism" laws following advice provided to police by CPS London.

17/05/2004

New Play And Workshops Tackle Diversity Issues

A new play launched on Thursday 13th May, commissioned by Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice Board (ASCJB) and part funded by the CPS, tackles diversity issues head on. The play was launched in Bristol and will then toured various venues across Avon & Somerset.

28/04/2004

Appeal Court Increases Sentence Of Worthing Man Convicted Of Racist Attack

Brett Charlton has had his sentence extended to three years by the Appeal Court in London for slashing a man’s throat in a racist attack in Worthing, Sussex. The sentence will be concurrent from today with his sentence of three years he is serving for burglary.

08/04/2004