Restorative justice (RJ) has been defined as a process through which parties with a stake in a specific offence collectively resolve how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future. RJ can take the form of victim-offender mediation either through direct contact between the offender and victim or indirect communication involving third parties. It can also involve restitution or reparation where this is agreed between offenders and their victims.

This guidance specifies the cases which must be referred to CPS Headquarters (Private Office, Director of Legal Services, Press Office); Central Casework Divisions and CPS Proceeds of Crime; Chief Crown Prosecutors/Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutors or Area Complex Casework Units/Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Units for information or for decision making.

The decision whether rape counts, linked to murder, should be left to lie on file, is the prosecutor's responsibility. This guidance provides assistance to prosecutors, by identifying some of the issues to be taken into account when making this decision.

This guidance sets out the factors to be considered when reviewing cases and prosecuting offences classified as racist or religious hate crime. It also addresses the approach to be taken in other cases where race or religion are a factor.