Updated: 28 Sept 2022; minor update: 20 Sept 2023; 12 March 2025

Updated: 23 July 2020, 20 April 2022 4 July 2024

updated: 24 Mar 2025; 6 Feb 2026; 29 Jun 2026

Various statutes regulate telecommunications, television, broadcasting and postal services and create many offences of which those most frequently encountered by the CPS are considered in this guidance.

updated: 30 Apr 2020; 8 Jul 2026

This guidance deals with older people as victims and witnesses, not as offenders. It should be read in conjunction with the CPS Policy Guidance on the prosecution of crimes against older people.

Updated: 19 Dec 2019, 27 Jan 2025, 29 Sep 2026

Confiscation is an essential tool in the prosecutor’s toolkit to deprive offenders of the proceeds of their criminal conduct; to deter the commission of further offences; and to reduce the profits available to fund further criminal enterprises.

Updated: 11 Sep 2020; 29 Sep 2026

Formerly called Youth Offenders. Updated: 17 May 2023; 13 Jul 2023; 4 Aug 2025; 9 Oct 2026

The CPS is committed to ensuring that the special considerations which apply to cases involving a young offender are enshrined in its working practices and form part of the training of its prosecutors.

Updated: 29 Aug 2024; 29 Jun 2026; 26 Oct 2026

It is the duty of prosecution advocate to apply for appropriate ancillary orders or to remind the court of its power to make an order. When considering which ancillary orders to apply for, prosecution advocates must always have regard to the victim, especially the issue of their future protection.