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Right Person. Right Charge. Right Time.

Click to play the Right Person, Right Charge, Right Time videoA short clip that explains the CPS' work in respect of 'charging'. Since 2003 it has been a legal requirement for the CPS to make charging decisions in more complex and contested cases.

A High Quality Prosecution Service

Deliver a high quality prosecution service that brings offenders to justice, helps reduce both crime and the fear of crime and thereby promote public confidence in the rule of law through the consistent, fair and independent review of cases and through their fair, thorough and firm presentation at court.

Home » Your CPS » Introduction » Statutory Charging and CPS Direct

Statutory Charging and CPS Direct

Working closely with police colleagues as The Prosecution Team, the CPS successfully introduced Statutory Charging in all 42 Areas almost one year ahead of schedule.

Operating at the very heart of the criminal justice system, CPS prosecutors are now selecting the charge in all but the most minor cases and building strong cases from the start. The Prosecution Team approach has already resulted in an increased number of guilty pleas, reducing the burden on the courts and, most importantly, providing a better service to the victims and witnesses involved in each case.

Statutory Charging is seen as the single most significant development in the handling of criminal casework since the inception of the CPS.

An integral part of Statutory Charging is CPS Direct, a national out-of-hours telephone service that allows police to access Charging advice through the night and at weekends, 365 days a year. CPS Direct is, in effect, a 'virtual' 43rd Area, headed by a CCP.