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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 » Review of the Code for Crown Prosecutors

Review of the Code for Crown Prosecutors

18/03/2004

Changes in the law have prompted a review of the Code for Crown Prosecutors, which is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions and gives the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.

The review was announced by the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, QC, who said: “The Code is kept under continual review to ensure that its principles remain appropriate. The current edition of the Code was published in October 2000 following an extensive internal, external and public consultation exercise.

“Following the public consultation process last time, every aspect of the Code was reconsidered and the basic principles were acknowledged as being sound. Accordingly, this review will not extend to any reconsideration of the basic two-test principle of prosecuting on the basis of ensuring that the evidence provides a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute the case.”

The review will be limited to the implications of a number of recent key developments, Lord Goldsmith said, which have occurred since the last review.

He said: “The most significant of these is the charging initiative under which prosecutors will assume responsibility from the police for determining appropriate charges to bring against alleged offenders, which was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003. There are also other significant changes to be considered, such as conditional cautioning.

“The Crown Prosecution Service, with appropriate consultation, is therefore to review the Code for Crown Prosecutors to take account of these recent developments. The review team has now been established and will be writing to organisations and individuals with an interest in the Code, asking for comments on the particular areas under consideration.

“I welcome this review and will be taking a close interest in its progress.”

  1. The Code for Crown Prosecutors is available online.
  2. The review team also invites views from the general public. Comments should be sent to Ladi Durosinmi-Etti, Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters, Policy Directorate, 50 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7EX. The consultation period runs until 30 April, 2004.
  3. The full text of the Attorney General’s statement is available from his press office on 0207 271 2440.
  4. Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 796 8180.