§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Attorney-General what guidelines the Crown prosecution service has on prosecutions in cases of domestic violence.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Crown prosecution service reviews all cases referred to it from the police in accordance with the principles set out in the code for Crown prosecutors issued in pursuance of section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The evidential and 77W public interest criteria set out in the code apply to offences committed in "domestic" circumstances just as they do to any other prosecution.
The Crown prosecution service recognises that there are complex issues involved in prosecuting domestic violence cases and, in addition to the code, has issued internal guidance to its staff. This guidance, which is being updated, sets out in greater detail the factors which will be relevant to the review and prosecution of these cases. The relevant document will shortly be supplied to the Home Affairs Committee inquiry on domestic violence, and will thereafter be available in the Library of the House of Commons. It will also be made available to relevant interest groups.