The Criminal Process
The criminal legal system that operates in England and Wales remains entirely separate from that of Scotland and Northern Ireland and they are considered as separate jurisdictions.
England and Wales
The Core Quality Standards
Issued under Section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act giving guidance on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.
Download CPS-core-quality-standards PDF
The Code for Crown Prosecutors
Issued under Section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act giving guidance on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.
Download CPS-the-code-2013 PDF
The decision to prosecute
This explains how prosecution decisions are reached.
Download CPS-the-decision-to-prosecute PDF