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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

"Honour crimes" and forced marriage

What is a so-called 'honour' crime?

So-called 'honour based violence' is a crime or incident, which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community.

'So-called Honour Crime' is a fundamental abuse of Human Rights.

There is no honour in the commission of murder, rape, kidnap and the many other acts, behaviour and conduct which make up 'violence in the name of so-called honour'.

The simplicity of the above definition is not intended in any way to minimise the levels of violence, harm and hurt caused by such acts.

(definition used by the Metropolitan Police Working Group on honour based violence)

What is a forced marriage?

In a forced marriage you are coerced into marrying someone against your will. You may be physically threatened or emotionally blackmailed to do so. It is an abuse of human rights and cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis.

It’s not the same as an arranged marriage where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.

(Definition from the Foreign and Commonwealth office)

Both 'honour crimes' and forced marriage are forms of domestic violence.

Forced Marriage (civil protection) Act 2007 came into force on 25th November 2008

Recommendations on future work on forced marriage and so-called 'honour' crime

CPS pilot on forced marriage and so-called ‘honour’ crime – findings

Policy for prosecuting domestic violence

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS lawyer named Legal Personality of the Year

CPS lawyer named Legal Personality of the Year

30/11/2005

A director of London's Crown Prosecution Service who highlighted the scandal of honour crimes has been honoured by UK-based Asian lawyers.

Nazir Afzal, head of CPS West London Sector, was named Legal Personality of the Year by the Society of Asian Lawyers, which represents around 15,000 professionals.

A recent CPS honour crimes conference, which Mr Afzal organised and chaired, attracted widespread press coverage and put the issue at the top of the public agenda.

Presenting the award, Guy Mansfield QC and Chairman of the Bar Council said that Nazir is a "role model" for lawyers entering the profession. He added that he is a lawyer who exercised his commitment and passion to victims of crime and towards improving public confidence in the legal profession and the justice system.

"I was overwhelmed by merely being nominated so winning has yet to sink in," said Mr Afzal after he received the award. "I believe that this prestigious award recognises the great strides the CPS has made in building its reputation as a world-class prosecuting authority with its commitment to substantially improving its reputation with practitioners and public alike.

"I am extremely pleased at this recognition of CPS lawyers and staff and the work we all do. For a CPS lawyer merely to be nominated with such highly regarded and respected company is extraordinary," he admitted. "I am even more determined to make a difference in the legal system."

Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London said: "Nazir has been a great ambassador for the CPS and the criminal justice system. This is a marvellous award and a great honour which is richly deserved."

Four awards were presented on the night with the "Legal Personality of the Year" category being the main one. Candidates are nominated by the Society's committee and decided by a panel of eminent Asian and non-Asian lawyers. The life achievement award went to HHJ Mota Singh QC, recently retired and the first Asian judge in the country.

Other nominees in Mr Afzal's category included Shami Chakrabarti, the Director of Liberty and Sadiq Khan, newly elected MP for Tooting. Mr Afzal is 43 and lives in Northolt. He is based at the CPS London West Sector HQ at Harrow. West Sector includes the boroughs of Barnet, Harrow, Brent, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Sutton, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth.

  1. The Society of Asian Lawyers was formed in 1990 and is the UK's largest independent legal society with 15,000 members. A non-political organisation, members are from a cross section of the legal community. Their 11th Annual ball was held on 26 November 2005 in London.
  2. For more information contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6091.