Updated: 29 Aug 2024; 29 Jun 2026

It is the duty of prosecution advocate to apply for appropriate ancillary orders or to remind the court of its power to make an order. When considering which ancillary orders to apply for, prosecution advocates must always have regard to the victim, especially the issue of their future protection.

updated: 24 Mar 2025; 6 Feb 2026; 29 Jun 2026

Various statutes regulate telecommunications, television, broadcasting and postal services and create many offences of which those most frequently encountered by the CPS are considered in this guidance.

updated: 30 Apr 2020; 8 Jul 2026

This guidance deals with older people as victims and witnesses, not as offenders. It should be read in conjunction with the CPS Policy Guidance on the prosecution of crimes against older people.

Updated: 3 March 2022; Feb 2023; 14 May 2026

This guidance sets out the factors to be taken into consideration when reviewing cases and prosecuting offences classified as Homophobic, Biphobic or Transphobic Hate Crime.

Updated: 3 Mar 2022; 14 May 2026

This guidance sets out the factors to be considered when reviewing cases and prosecuting offences classified as racist or religious hate crime. It also addresses the approach to be taken in other cases where race or religion are a factor.

Updated: 12 June 2024; 10 November 2023, 4 July 2024, 22 July 2025

updated 20 November 2023

The instructions contained in this guidance are designed to provide a practical guide to preparing expert evidence and to provide guidance on the disclosure obligations of expert witnesses instructed by the investigator and/or the Crown Prosecution Service (the Prosecution Team). These instructions will assist expert witnesses, investigators and prosecutors to perform their duties effectively fairly and justly, which is vitally important to the integrity of the criminal justice system.

updated: 31 January 2020

The Prosecution Advocate plays an important public role and as such may be considered a cornerstone of an open and fair criminal justice system. The principles so well articulated by Farquharson LJ and his committee as to the role of the prosecution advocate have served us well since they were published in 1986. However, the time has come for new guidance which, whilst building on the established principles, reflects the changes that have occurred in the criminal courts, at the Bar and within The Crown Prosecution Service over recent years. I welcome and commend the new Guidelines which, whilst not legally binding unless expressly approved by the Court of Appeal, nonetheless provide important practical guidance for practitioners involved in the prosecution process.

Updated: 30 July 2024; 16 August 2023