CPS Response to HMCPSI inspection of CPS Areas follow up report, January 2025
His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) have published its latest Area Inspection Programme report, examining the quality of the CPS’s legal decision-making and casework.
The report sets out HMCPSI’s findings from the 14 Area inspections, assessing the quality of legal decision making and ‘grip’ on legal casework against the baseline established through an initial Area inspection programme completed in 2023.
It concludes that the standard of legal quality has improved in most CPS Areas since the baseline assessment was conducted, although geographical variation in performance is evident across different aspects of casework.
The report recognises that these improvements in casework quality, even where marginal, are particularly impressive considering conditions in the criminal justice system since the baseline assessment, with increasing caseloads and substantial trial delays presenting additional challenges for prosecutors.
We are pleased that this has been acknowledged in the report and would like to recognise the collective efforts involved: that we have been able to improve the quality of our casework under these circumstances is a testament to your hard work and continued commitment to delivering justice.
We do, however, acknowledge that HMCPSI’s finding of considerable geographic variation in performance is an area where we must improve. We recognise the potential impacts that any variation in our service quality might have – on individual victims, witnesses and defendants; on the outcomes of cases and delivery of justice; and on wider public confidence in the criminal justice system – and we understand our responsibility to address this disparity.
Going forward, we will review HMCPSI’s recommendations in detail and work with Areas to develop individualised approaches to addressing geographical variation in service quality, underpinned by our robust operational performance management structures.
We will also continue to focus on casework strategy as a key organisational priority under CPS 2030, exploring opportunities for increasing quality and efficiency through our Continuous Improvement Programme and working closely with criminal justice partners to address the ongoing challenges with court backlogs.
Inspectorate's Recommendations / Issues to address
There are no recommendations to address. The CPS will be continuing to focus on driving improvements, grip and added value in both the magistrates' and Crown Court casework.