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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

Find out more about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS responds to NAO report on the effective use of magistrates' courts hearings

CPS responds to NAO report on the effective use of magistrates' courts hearings

15/02/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service welcomed the National Audit Office report on the CPS's effective use of magistrates courts, published today and issued the following response:

The report says that more needs to be done to improve the handling of cases in the magistrates' court. Most ineffective trials and hearings are to do with defence- related problems and the report identifies problems with the prosecution too. The report also identifies examples of good practice in the CPS, recommends changes to the CPS's working practices and recognises that the criminal justice agencies need to work together more closely to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the prosecution of magistrates' courts cases.

The report will help the CPS to take action to improve its performance. The CPS acknowledges that there are too many ineffective hearings and is working to reduce them:

  • the CPS will be introducing better arrangements for handling magistrates' court cases;
  • the CPS will continue working with other criminal justice agencies to identify how performance in the magistrates' courts can be improved;

The CPS is playing a leading role in several cross-CJS initiatives which will reduce ineffective trials and hearings:

  • the charging programme which provides 24-hour, seven days a week advice to the police to get the charges right first time;
  • the No Witness, No Justice programme which provides advice and practical support to prosecution witnesses through 165 Witness Care Units across the country;
  • the Effective Trial Management Programme which improves the management of the trial process in magistrates' courts and will secure better listing arrangements.

These initiatives have helped reduce ineffective trials and hearings. The proportion of ineffective trials has fallen sharply from 31 per cent in 2002 to under 25 per cent in 2004-05.

Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8106 or 020 7710 6091.