§ 38. Ian LucasTo ask the Solicitor-General what steps she takes to monitor the consistency of decisions to prosecute made by the Crown Prosecution Service. [40762]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralProsecution decisions made by the Crown Prosecution Service are taken in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors so that it can make fair and consistent casework decisions.
The application of the Code is underpinned by training and by line-management monitoring. In addition, casework performance data are collected and published each year in the Crown Prosecution Service's Annual Report to the Attorney-General and presented to Parliament.
The work of the Crown Prosecution Service is also subject to inspection by HM CPS Inspectorate, an independent statutory body established in 2000. The Chief Inspector is appointed by, and reports to, the Attorney-General on the quality of casework undertaken by the CPS.