§ The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith)The Director of Public Prosecutions has, in accordance with Section 7A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 as amended by Section 53 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, extended the remit of work that may be undertaken by Crown Prosecution Service designated caseworkers.
Designated caseworkers are now permitted to undertake all work in the magistrates' court other than: trials; proofs in absence in either-way cases; committals and sendings; pre-trial reviews; Newton hearings; contested bail hearings.
The extended remit of designated caseworkers will enhance the role of the designated caseworker and enable more effective court listing. It will also support the effective delivery by the Crown Prosecution Service of pre-charge advice.
39WSA designated caseworker will not be permitted to undertake the extended remit until successfully completing a training programme and receiving a personal letter of appointment from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The following documents will be lodged in the Libraries of Parliament:
- The extended remit of Crown Prosecution Service designated caseworkers.
- The governance scheme for Crown Prosecution Service designated caseworkers, which sets out the supervision arrangements.
- The statement of ethical principles for Crown Prosecution Service designated caseworkers.