Prosecution guidance search

Updated: 31 Jan 2024, 17 Oct 2024, 31 Oct 2024, 5 Nov 2024, 13 Feb 2025, 17 Mar 2025, 17 Jul 2025, 16 Apr 2026, 24 Apr 2026

This guidance specifies the cases which must be referred to CPS Headquarters (Private Office, Director of Legal Services, Press Office); Central Casework Divisions and CPS Proceeds of Crime; Chief Crown Prosecutors/Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutors or Area Complex Casework Units/Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Units for information or for decision making.

Updated : 13 February 2025 (minor)

The CPS offers an enhanced service to bereaved families and will offer to meet them at key stages of the CJS process, commencing with an explanation of the charging decision through to supporting bereaved families where cases progress to the Court of Appeal.

Updated: Oct 2019; 1 Nov 2024; 31 Jul 2026

Updated: 29 Jul 2020; 24 Mar 2021; 29 Oct 2021; 27 Nov 2025

A firearm is "a lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged" (section 57(1) Firearms Act 1968)

Revised 15 June 2018; 23 October 2024

The CPS is a signatory to the Fail to Appear Criminal Warrants Protocol (including Warrants in First Instance) which was revised September 2026. This protocol should be applied when the police seek the withdrawal of a warrant, as should the CPS’ Standard Operation Practice model.

Rewritten: 15 March 2023

The basic principle is that it is for the prosecution, not the court, to decide whether a prosecution should be commenced and, if commenced, whether it should continue.

Updated: 8 Aug 2022, 13 Nov 2024, 1 Apr 2026, 29 Sep 2026

The criminal law in respect of public order offences is intended to penalise the use of violence and/or intimidation by individuals or groups. This document provides guidance about the charge which should be preferred if the criteria set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors are met.

Updated: 12 Oct 2021; 18 Aug 2025; 10 Nov 2025

This guidance sets out the common approach of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office to the prosecution of corporate offending in England and Wales.

Updated 3 April 2024

The Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme allows anyone to ask for certain Crown Court sentences to be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) if they think the sentence is too lenient.