Updated: 8 Apr 2025; 15 Apr 2025; 14 May 2025; 23 Jul 2025; 28 May 2026

Updated: 16 August 2023, 1 May 2025, 16 July 2025

This guidance sets out considerations for Prosecutors and the Police following the coming into force of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 (“the 2018 Act”) on 13 November 2018.

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)

Updated: 21 Jun 2024; 15 Oct 2024; 10 Mar 2026

Murder and manslaughter are two of the offences that constitute homicide.

Updated: 21 Mar 2022; 27 Jun 2022; 23 Jul 2024; 31 Oct 2024; 21 Nov 2025; 26 Feb 2026

The standard contained in this chapter is designed to assist prosecutors and police officers in selecting the most appropriate charge, in the light of the facts that can be proved, at the earliest possible opportunity. The standard set out below should not be used when reaching any investigatory decision, such as the decision to arrest.

Updated: 28 April 2020; 17 June 2024; 31 January 2025

Updated: 5 November 2021

This guidance is intended to provide information on the stance taken by the Courts in relation to Non Accidental Head Injury (NAHI) cases and to assist prosecutors in the approach and presentation of such cases.

Updated: 21 June 2019. Updated: 4 November 2021; 1 February 2024

In a case which involves a dog dangerously out of control, a choice lies between an application by way of a civil complaint under the Dogs Act 1871 for an Order for the control or destruction of a dog, and a criminal prosecution under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.