Code of Practice for the Victims of Crime

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims' Code) was launched in April 2006.

It sets out the minimum standards of service victims can expect to receive from each agency within the criminal justice system, and offers an enhanced service for vulnerable or intimidated victims.

If any victim feels that they have not received the level of service they are entitled to under the Code, and are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint, they can take their case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman via their MP.

Victim and witness care is a priority for the CPS in Wales and we are committed to the Code's obligations.

The CPS in Wales is committed to:

• Informing victims, either directly or through the police, if we decide not to charge someone in relation to their case.
• Notification will be within five working days of this decision being made; vulnerable and intimidated witnesses will be told within one working day
• Telling victims, within five working days, if we decide to drop or substantially alter the charges after someone has been charged with the offence. Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses will be informed within one working day
• Offering to meet the victim or the victim's family to discuss this decision if the case involved a death caused by criminal conduct, child abuse, sexual offences, racially or religiously aggravated offences or offences with a homophobic or transphobic element
• Ensuring that a representative from the CPS introduces themselves to the victim at court, answers any questions the victim may have and gives an indication of waiting times
• Paying the victim expenses within ten working days of receiving the completed claim form
• Answering any question the victim has about the sentence in their case when referred by the Witness Care Unit.