His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has today issued a report following their inspection of the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Division (SEOCID).

We welcome the recognition that SEOCID has established strong foundations for managing serious, complex and high-risk casework, including effective governance arrangements, close managerial oversight, a highly capable specialist workforce and trusted relationships with law enforcement partners.

The report highlights areas of real strength, particularly the value of regular legal manager oversight, the emphasis on coaching and supported casework progression, and the structured approach to succession planning and workforce development.

We recognise the report’s key findings on where further development is needed. In particular, we accept the importance of strengthening the way organisational learning from assurance activity is identified, recorded and shared across the directorate, so that good practice and lessons from casework are captured more consistently across both the International, London and South East Division (ILSED) and the Regional and Wales Division (RWD).

Inspectorate's recommendation

By May 2027, SEOCID should introduce a process for identifying, recording and sharing organisational learning arising from assurance activity. That process should provide a clear route for thematic learning to be reported into the Legal Leadership Forum and the casework quality boards to inform guidance, training, shared expectations and improvement activity across the directorate.

CPS response:

We welcome the recommendation, we will build on the strong assurance and governance arrangements already in place to address the recommendation and continue improving consistency, resilience and stakeholder engagement, including with His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).