Custody Time Limits (CTL) safeguard unconvicted defendants by preventing them from being held in pre-trial custody for an excessive period of time. The Act and Regulations governing CTLs require the prosecution to progresses cases to trial diligently and expeditiously.

With effect from 2 May 2023

The Crown Prosecution Service has well-established and regularly-tested business continuity plans. This means that we are able to respond to and continue our work in challenging circumstances, including public health outbreaks.

We recognise that older people are often targeted because of their age and a perception that they are vulnerable. This can have a devastating impact on the victim because they are being targeted for a personal characteristic. Whilst there is no statutory definition of crimes against older people, nor legislation allowing for a sentence uplift to be applied as in hate crime cases, we are committed to ensuring that justice is delivered for older people by prosecuting offences against them and supporting victims and witnesses throughout that process.