The Crown Prosecution Service
CPS 2022-23 Business Plan

The Crown Prosecution Service is at the heart of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, working with our partners to deliver justice through independent and fair prosecutions.

Our vision, as set out in the CPS 2025 strategy, is to ensure that we are a leading voice in transforming the criminal justice system, using our legal expertise and digital capability to make the public safer and build the confidence of our diverse communities.

Fundamentally, the role of the CPS is to:

• Decide which cases should be prosecuted – every charging decision is based on the same two-stage test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors
• Determine the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases and advise the police during the early stages of investigations
• Prepare cases and presents them at court
• Provide information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses

We do not investigate crime, or choose which cases to consider; our prosecutors must review every case referred to us by the police or other investigators. We provide expert legal advice early in investigations to help build strong cases or identify where a suspect should not be charged.

We make our decisions independently of the police and of government. We must always be fair, objective and impartial to secure justice for victims, witnesses, defendants and the public. Our job is to make sure that every case which satisfies the Code test goes before the courts.

As we review every case sent to us, our work is extremely varied and can be complex in nature, whether we’re prosecuting, burglary, domestic abuse, terrorism or multi-million-pound fraud cases. What these cases all have in common is that they can have a devastating impact on victims.

International, organised and economic crime presents a serious threat to UK national security and economic wellbeing. The CPS works across borders to tackle terrorism and cybercrime, human trafficking and drug smuggling. We also use our powers to confiscate the proceeds of crime at home and abroad.

We have more than 6,000 highly trained staff who enable us to make sure the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and that trials are fair so that offenders are brought to justice whenever possible. 

We are proud to be recognised as a leading employer, committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve.