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.

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.

This guidance deals with defendants appeals against conviction and/or sentence in the Crown Court. For interlocutory appeals against rulings of a Crown Court judge see guidance on Prosecution Right of Appeal elsewhere.

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:

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.