Good evening. The last time I gave a lecture for the Howard League was in October 2019. I referred then to it being "a time of national upheaval and some political uncertainty". I had no idea then just how much upheaval and uncertainty there would be.

Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to speak here today.  My contact with JUSTICE goes back many years to when, as chair of the Kalisher Trust, I enjoyed conducting interviews for the excellent internships JUSTICE offered through the Trust. I also delivered the Tom Sargant lecture in my role as Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation in 2017, and am pleased to be back with you now.

I am delighted to be here today to share my reflections on the prosecution of terrorism over the last 20 years. Throughout this time, RUSI have been at the forefront of research and critical thinking in this space, challenging and supporting the UK’s policy response to terrorism. I can think of no better audience to share my experiences.

Thank you for inviting me to address you again, in what will be my final appearance before you as DPP. I have enjoyed a long association with the Council, in a variety of former roles both for my Circuit and for the CBA, and now for the CPS. I have been proud to serve in every one of those roles, so I have approached this final appearance with much reflection over many years.

Victims deserve, and rightly expect, to be supported, informed and treated fairly. Being a victim of crime can be deeply traumatic and we do not underestimate the courage of victims.

Speech by Max Hill KC, Director of Public Prosecutions to the Oxford University Law Faculty, 24 February 2023

Remuneration for criminal barristers has, of course, been high on the agenda for some time now, with last autumn seeing an increase in fees paid to defence barristers. With those increases secured, attention has, understandably, turned to the CPS. 

Economic crime poses a threat to countries’ economies and institutions and causes serious harm to society and individuals. Tackling it is a priority for the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales – and last year we published our first ever CPS Economic Crime Strategy.

I must start by saying thank you to you all. Thank you for your commitment and your really dedicated work to tackle these dreadful crimes. I am very grateful to you all, without exception.