Rewritten: 15 March 2023

The basic principle is that it is for the prosecution, not the court, to decide whether a prosecution should be commenced and, if commenced, whether it should continue.

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.

updated 19 December 2019

Part 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) contains provisions for a prosecution appeal against adverse rulings by Crown Court judges in respect of trials on indictment. Section numbers in this guidance refer to the 2003 Act unless otherwise stated.

Updated: 15/5/2019; amended 13/08/2021

Applications for judicial review and appeals by way of case stated are the proceedings in the Administrative Court that most affect the CPS. The law, practice and procedure are contained in:

updated 9 January 2019 and 09 September 2022

From 1 October 2009, the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords has been exercised by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom following the coming into force of paragraphs 13(5) and 16(6) of Schedule 9 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Updated: 26 Apr 2023; 17 Jul 2023; 21 Nov 2023; 22 Mar 2026

The decisions on bail, in criminal proceedings, represent an important stage in the prosecution process. The results of these decisions can have far reaching consequences for victims of crime and the public in general.

Updated : 13 February 2025 (minor)