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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is insufficiently resourced to handle rape cases in line with its own policies, according to a critical report from its watchdog.
The CPS’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units are supposed to ensure that victims’ complaints are dealt with by experienced lawyers in dedicated units.
But a report from its inspectorate found that despite commitment to improve the service to victims, there were ‘still significant problems’ evidenced by a ‘lack of consistency’ and ‘limited compliance with minimum standards’.
Inspectors found that rape allegations were dealt with by specialist lawyers in only 53 of the 85 (62%) cases reviewed, there was continuity of prosecutor in only 44 of the 72 relevant cases (61%), and files were dealt with by a RASSO unit in only 42 cases, with a further eight cases where this information was not known.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, dismissed the criticism as out-dated, stating that the RASSO units had recruited more lawyers since the research was carried out.
Meanwhile, figures released to Parliament revealed that the agency’s cost-cutting measures have resulted in it shelling out more than £83m in redundancy payments to 1,864 employees over the last five years – £1m a month.
In the five-year period around 30 staff have left every month, each taking a cheque worth about £50,000, while some have walked away with up to £150,000.
The CPS said it had made savings of over £300m over the last four years and that compensation payments were contractual and set by the Cabinet Office.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is insufficiently resourced to handle rape cases in line with its own policies, according to a critical report from its watchdog.
The CPS’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units are supposed to ensure that victims’ complaints are dealt with by experienced lawyers in dedicated units.
But a report from its inspectorate found that despite commitment to improve the service to victims, there were ‘still significant problems’ evidenced by a ‘lack of consistency’ and ‘limited compliance with minimum standards’.
Inspectors found that rape allegations were dealt with by specialist lawyers in only 53 of the 85 (62%) cases reviewed, there was continuity of prosecutor in only 44 of the 72 relevant cases (61%), and files were dealt with by a RASSO unit in only 42 cases, with a further eight cases where this information was not known.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, dismissed the criticism as out-dated, stating that the RASSO units had recruited more lawyers since the research was carried out.
Meanwhile, figures released to Parliament revealed that the agency’s cost-cutting measures have resulted in it shelling out more than £83m in redundancy payments to 1,864 employees over the last five years – £1m a month.
In the five-year period around 30 staff have left every month, each taking a cheque worth about £50,000, while some have walked away with up to £150,000.
The CPS said it had made savings of over £300m over the last four years and that compensation payments were contractual and set by the Cabinet Office.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
