Contrast
Home
Menu
Image of a female barrister, wearing a white jacket, reading a file while holding a pencil, with a laptop in the background. Superimposed text reads 'New Graduated Fee Scheme published'.

New Graduated Fee Scheme published

The Crown Prosecution Service has published its latest Graduated Fee Scheme, which outlines the fees payable to external barristers. The new Scheme applies to all hearings, in existing and new cases, that take place on or after 2 May 2023.

'Prosecutors focus on ‘love-bombing’ and other manipulative behaviours as part of updated guidance'

Prosecutors focus on ‘love-bombing’ and other manipulative behaviours when charging controlling offences

Updated guidance on controlling behaviour emphasises the need for prosecutors to closely scrutinise the actions of a suspect, who can often take steps to disrupt or mislead criminal proceedings. 

Graphic showing victim in the witness box. Text reads: Victim's guide: What happens when a case comes to the CPS.

New: CPS guide for victims of crime

We're committed to securing justice for all victims of crime. Our new guide for victims explains what you can expect from the Criminal Justice System.

Graphic showing support worker. Text reads: A guide for victims of rape and serious sexual assault

Guide for victims of rape and serious sexual assault

If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, there is extra support available to help you through the criminal justice system. Our guide for victims of rape and sexual assault explains what your rights are and what happens when a case comes to the CPS.

Your local CPS

The CPS operates across England and Wales, with 14 regional teams prosecuting cases locally.

Each of these 14 CPS Areas is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor, and works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners.

Find out who’s who in your area, and read more about local cases.

Find out about your area

Cymru/Wales
East Midlands
East of England
London North
London South
Mersey-Cheshire
North East
North West
South East
South West
Thames and Chiltern
Wessex
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside

The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and we make our decisions independently of the police and government.

Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

The CPS:

  • decides which cases should be prosecuted; 
  • determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations; 
  • prepares cases and presents them at court; and 
  • provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses. 

Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.

Victims & witnesses

Being a victim or a witness to a crime is not easy, but with your help, we work hard to bring offenders to justice. Throughout the justice process we will support you and treat you with dignity.

From reporting the crime to passing sentence we explain:

  • what happens;
  • the role of the CPS and;
  • what you can expect from us.
Support for victims & witnesses

Crime info

We prosecute people for hundreds of different types of crime every year. This section gives an introduction to some of the categories of offending that we are asked about most often.

Prosecution guidance

This guidance assists our prosecutors when they are making decisions about cases. It is regularly updated to reflect changes in law and practice. 

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
View all prosecution guidance
Latest News
View all news

Former police officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 12 online

Sexual offences

Ex-CPS employee jailed for accessing sensitive case files

Numerous victims defrauded of nearly £4m in a complex investment scam

Fraud and economic crime

Former boss of a City of London foreign exchange company is found guilty of an around £70m fraud

CPS Says: Conviction rates play no part in deciding whether or not to charge a case

SENTENCE UPDATE: Man jailed for role in running website involved in multi-million-pound fraud

Fraud and economic crime

Updated with sentence: Police officer jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving

Driving offences

Gang members who used furniture removal vans to import Class A drugs into the UK have been convicted

International and organised crime

Updated with sentence: Three men jailed for supplying fraudulent passports to criminals

Fraud and economic crime, International and organised crime