Updated: 7 May 2019

Revised: 14 December 2018; Refreshed 14 July 2022

This manual applies to all investigations commenced on or after 4 April 2005.

Updated: 20 December 2018

Updated: 12 September 2022

This guidance sets out current CPS policy in relation to the disclosure of previous convictions and cautions of prosecution witnesses.

Part 2, Chapter 1 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 ("the Act") confers on the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions and the Lord Advocate [Note: These offices are collectively termed "investigating authority" in the Act and are defined at s.60(5)] similar powers currently conferred on the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) by section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 to compel individuals to co-operate with investigations by producing documents and answering questions.

updated 14 July 2022

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Updated 2nd August 2018

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has the power to investigate possible miscarriages of justice and refer appropriate cases to the Court of Appeal, on grounds of conviction, sentence or both. It also has similar powers to investigate and make references to the Crown Court in summary cases.