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. During 2006-07, over 130 CPS Direct prosecutors handled 183,034 calls and provided 127,911 advices and charging decisions (source - Departmental Report 2007). CPS Direct is, in effect, a 'virtual' 43rd Area, headed by a CCP.