Advanced Search

Public Consultations

We want to hear your views about our prosecution policy and so we conduct consultations to help inform our policy making.

Find out about current consultations and read the results of past consultations

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 » Release of prosecution material to the media: CPS, ACPO and media representatives agree protocol

Release of prosecution material to the media: CPS, ACPO and media representatives agree protocol

17/10/2005

A Protocol setting out details of prosecution material that will normally be released to the media has been agreed between the Crown Prosecution Service, the Association of Chief Police Officers and media representatives.

Launching the Protocol at the Society of Editors Conference today, Ken Macdonald QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: "We are determined to provide an open and accountable prosecution process by ensuring that, wherever possible, we give the media access to all relevant prosecution material.

"This document is the result of close cooperation between all the organisations involved. We have all worked together to reach agreement and I would particularly like to thank the media representatives who have participated so constructively. We will monitor closely the way the Protocol operates and will review it next year to ensure that it is delivering its aim."

Andy Hayman, Chair of the ACPO media advisory group and Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said:

"We welcome this Protocol, which has been achieved through much constructive discussion. The media plays an important role in helping the public understand the work of the police and the criminal justice system and a close working relationship is essential. I hope that the agreements we have reached in this Protocol will benefit the flow of information from the criminal justice system to the media and the public."

On behalf of media representatives, Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors said:

"The Protocol should help to ensure that justice is open, demystified and more accessible. Unless there is an extremely good reason for withholding information, it is important that the wider public should see material upon which juries base their verdicts and the courts make their decisions.

"The DPP's commitment to greater openness will help the media to inform the public about the working of the criminal justice system. It is an example that should be followed as greater knowledge and understanding will help to improve public perceptions."

  1. Media enquiries to: CPS: 020 7796 8106, ACPO: 020 7227 3405.
  2. The media was represented by the Society of Editors, the Newspaper Society, the Newspaper Publishers' Association, News International, Sky News, the BBC, ITN, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
  3. The Protocol is published on this website and on the website of the Association of Chief Police Officers, www.acpo.police.uk.