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The Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association welcome the publication of the House of Commons Justice Select Committee’s report on the Work of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The report, entitled The Crown Prosecution Service: Gatekeeper of the Criminal Justice System, highlights areas for attention which include consistency, the piecemeal way in which its functions are developing and the proportion of cases taken by in-house advocates.
The report calls for the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions to define the role of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system. That role has evolved incrementally, with no clear framework in which their roles have developed, and as a result it is recommended that the CPS needs to be given direction to ensure that it provides a defined, efficient and effective service.
The report stresses that the implications for the criminal justice system as a whole of the increased use of in-house advocacy must be taken into account, not just the organisational interests of the CPS. In particular the committee states that “The development of CPS advocacy cannot simply be seen as the next logical step in how the CPS should develop..” and it echoes concerns expressed in evidence given by the CBA in recognising that “the consequences of CPS advocacy on the future provision and quality of legal services as a whole require attention”
Commenting on the Select Committee’s report, Desmond Browne QC, the Chairman of the Bar, said:
“The Crown Prosecution Service is a vital part of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, and it is essential that it performs effectively in the public interest. Quality advocacy is an absolute priority for the employed and self employed Bar, all of whom are represented by the Bar Council. But it is important to recognise, as this report does, that effective advocacy also depends upon efficient and effective case preparation. ”
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association said:
“I was pleased to give evidence on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association to the Justice Committee earlier this year. We welcome this report and its recommendation to the CPS to reflect upon the future provision of advocacy services. The self-employed bar must continue to play a significant role in the prosecution of cases at all levels.”
The report stresses that the implications for the criminal justice system as a whole of the increased use of in-house advocacy must be taken into account, not just the organisational interests of the CPS. In particular the committee states that “The development of CPS advocacy cannot simply be seen as the next logical step in how the CPS should develop..” and it echoes concerns expressed in evidence given by the CBA in recognising that “the consequences of CPS advocacy on the future provision and quality of legal services as a whole require attention”
Commenting on the Select Committee’s report, Desmond Browne QC, the Chairman of the Bar, said:
“The Crown Prosecution Service is a vital part of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, and it is essential that it performs effectively in the public interest. Quality advocacy is an absolute priority for the employed and self employed Bar, all of whom are represented by the Bar Council. But it is important to recognise, as this report does, that effective advocacy also depends upon efficient and effective case preparation. ”
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association said:
“I was pleased to give evidence on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association to the Justice Committee earlier this year. We welcome this report and its recommendation to the CPS to reflect upon the future provision of advocacy services. The self-employed bar must continue to play a significant role in the prosecution of cases at all levels.”
The Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association welcome the publication of the House of Commons Justice Select Committee’s report on the Work of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The report, entitled The Crown Prosecution Service: Gatekeeper of the Criminal Justice System, highlights areas for attention which include consistency, the piecemeal way in which its functions are developing and the proportion of cases taken by in-house advocates.
The report calls for the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions to define the role of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system. That role has evolved incrementally, with no clear framework in which their roles have developed, and as a result it is recommended that the CPS needs to be given direction to ensure that it provides a defined, efficient and effective service.
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