Highways England referred to Crown Prosecution Service over smart motorway death – The Independent

‘Highways England has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider if corporate manslaughter charges are appropriate following a smart motorway death.’

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The Independent, 11th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Almost a third of prosecutions under coronavirus laws dropped, review shows – The Independent

‘Almost a third of prosecutions under coronavirus laws have been brought incorrectly, leading to hundreds of cases being dropped, analysis has revealed. A review by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found that 359 of 1,252 charges last year under laws brought in to aid public health measures were later withdrawn or quashed in court.’

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The Independent, 7th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

RSPCA plans to stop taking animal abusers to court privately – The Guardian

‘For nearly two centuries, the RSPCA has pursued private prosecutions against people it suspects of cruelty to animals. Now, under pressure from MPs, it has said it plans to end that practice and turn over its files to the Crown Prosecution Service instead.’

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The Guardian, 28th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS denies major change in rape charging policy despite falling rates – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has denied making major changes to its approach to charging rape, at a landmark legal hearing at the court of appeal.’

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The Guardian, 27th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS accused of ‘systemic illegality’ in charging rape cases – The Guardian

Posted January 27th, 2021 in codes of practice, Crown Prosecution Service, equality, news, prosecutions, rape, women by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been accused of “systemic illegality” in its approach to charging rape cases in a landmark judicial review into how the crime is prosecuted.’

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The Guardian, 26th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rape victims speak out ahead of legal challenge to CPS policy – The Guardian

‘Rape victims at the heart of a landmark court case have told the Guardian they have been failed by the Crown Prosecution Service, ahead of a legal challenge to how the crime is charged and prosecuted.’

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The Guardian, 26th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘They decided the jury wouldn’t believe me’: CPS accused of secret change to rape policy – The Guardian

Posted January 25th, 2021 in Crown Prosecution Service, juries, news, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘In a landmark hearing this week, rape victims aim to discover if their complaints failed due to a covert move to drop “weak cases.” ‘

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The Guardian, 24th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Office criticised prosecutors for ‘applying the law’ in immigration cases, CPS chief says – The Independent

‘The government has repeatedly criticised prosecutors for doing “no more than applying the law”, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.’

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The Independent, 24th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man sentenced for sending malicious email after Bristol statue toppled – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A 72-year-old man from Merseyside has been sentenced for sending abusive messages to the Mayor of Bristol after protestors removed the statue of Edward Colston in the city in June last year.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 13th January 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Pinto: Gender parity a long way off in fraud work – Legal Futures

‘The immediate past chair of the Bar Council has welcomed work by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure greater gender parity in its instructions but said female fraud barristers are “a long way from parity” with their male colleagues.’

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Legal Futures, 8th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

More than 1,000 Extinction Rebellion activists taken to court – The Guardian

‘More than 1,000 people who took part in environmental direct action organised by Extinction Rebellion have been taken to court in what experts say is one of the biggest crackdowns on protest in British legal history.’

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The Guardian, 8th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New CPS guidance on charging for police and prosecutors – Crown Prosecution Service

‘NEW legal guidance to set updated rules on charging criminal cases has been published by the Director of Public Prosecutions today.

The Director’s Guidance on Charging 6th Edition (DG6) has been unveiled by The Crown Prosecution Service with the new rules coming into immediate effect. The document, which was last updated in 2013, provides a clear set of guidelines for prosecutors and police to ensure cases are referred to the CPS at the right time; with the right material and information so that prosecutors can make immediate charging decisions and cases pass effectively and efficiently through the criminal justice system.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 31st December 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Harry Dunn: CPS pursue case against suspect despite immunity ruling – BBC News

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has said there remains a “realistic prospect of conviction” for Harry Dunn’s alleged killer despite a High Court ruling she had diplomatic immunity.’

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BBC News, 20th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Role of grooming of women involved in violent crime examined as part of new gangs guidance – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Prosecutors working on gang-related cases which involve women and girls should consider if there is evidence they have been forced or groomed into committing crime, according to new legal guidance published today. The guidance, Decision-making in “gang” related offences, has been drawn up by the Crown Prosecution Service to give lawyers practical advice on building the strongest possible cases and gathering robust evidence to present to the court.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 16th December 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape and sexual assault: ‘Money needed’ to speed up investigations – BBC News

‘Police and prosecutors need more resources as sexual assault and rape investigations are taking longer, a charity that supports victims has said.’

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BBC News, 14th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stalking analysis reveals domestic abuse link – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted December 10th, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, domestic violence, news, stalking, statistics by tracey

‘Stalking is increasingly being recognised as a form of domestic abuse within the criminal justice system, with CPS analysis finding the majority of offences are committed by ex-partners.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 4th December 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

CPS says: How we’re working to overcome harmful rape myths and stereotypes – Crown Prosecution Service

‘As an experienced prosecutor of rape and serious sexual offences, I never underestimate the courage it takes for a victim to report such a deeply violating and distressing event to police. CPS staff, especially those on our RASSO teams are all too aware of the unique barriers many face when deciding whether to report offences relating to sexual assault; these include shame, guilt, fear of the process, fear of not being believed, shock, cultural context, embarrassment, language barriers and fear of reprisal from the community.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 29th November 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Government urged to fix ‘disastrous state’ of rape prosecutions – The Guardian

‘An alliance of women’s organisations is calling for radical reforms to address the “disastrous state” of rape investigations and prosecutions, including a ministerial lead, a commission on juries and a ban on the use of sexual history evidence.’

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The Guardian, 30th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elizabeth Dixon death investigation reveals “20-year cover-up” – The Guardian

‘The government has apologised for a “20-year cover-up” over the death of 11-month-old Elizabeth Dixon, whose parents have fought an unrelenting battle for the truth.’

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The Guardian, 26th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stephen Lawrence murder: CPS asked to consider new charges against police – The Guardian

‘Prosecutors are to be asked to consider whether to bring new charges in the Stephen Lawrence case against senior police officers in the first botched murder investigation, it has been announced.’

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The Guardian, 3rd November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com