International enquiries are a powerful and often crucial tool in the investigation and prosecution of offences.

In all international enquiries the prosecutor should consider international disclosure issues at the earliest stage as part of a strategy regarding material from overseas. More detailed instruction for prosecutors on the obtaining of evidence from abroad for use in a UK prosecution, including on mutual legal assistance, can be found in the 'International' pages of the CPS Operational guidance including country specific guidance.

Introduction

This guidance is intended to assist in the handling of PII applications in cases that involve sensitive material held by one of the intelligence and security agencies (the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ).

Introduction

This chapter provides guidance to investigators and prosecutors who have to deal with sensitive material generated by, or in possession of, the security and intelligence agencies (the agencies). The agencies are third parties under the CPIA. They are not deemed to be 'investigators'.

Local arrangements are in place for counter terrorism cases.

Introduction

Where enquiries reveal the existence of a separate but linked investigation(s) conducted by another force or agency, a formal agreement between the forces/agencies concerned should set out their respective roles and responsibilities.

Investigations may be linked by, for example:

Introduction

The Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (Holmes) is a computer database that has been designed to aid the investigation into large-scale enquiries. It can be used by the police to collate and subsequently cross reference all information gathered in a major investigation.

In major investigations, regular reviews are conducted which might identify flaws in the investigation to date. Operational reviews may take place following the arrest phase of an operation and/or at the conclusion of court proceedings. The purpose of review at the investigative stage is to identify ways in which the investigation can be progressed. The purpose of ex post facto reviews is to identify lessons that can be learnt to the benefit of future operations.

The legislation regulating the interception of communications is contained in Part 2 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (’IPA’). Guidance can be found in the Interception of Communications Code of Practice 2018 (‘IoC Code’). Prosecutors dealing with intercept material should be familiar with the IoC Code, in particular chapter 11.

Surveillance is defined by section 48(2) of RIPA as including monitoring, observing, or listening to persons, their movements, conversations or other activities and communications.

Surveillance is covert if, and only if, it is carried out in a manner calculated to ensure that any persons who are subject to the surveillance are unaware that it is or may be taking place (section 26(9)(a)).

This chapter is not available on the CPS website.

The Government Security Classifications Scheme introduced on 2 April 2014, and updated in 2018, applies to all material held and produced by the police, CPS, and courts as well as other government departments and agencies.

The Scheme categorises material into "Official", "Secret" and "Top Secret" according to certain criteria.