Crown Prosecution Service

Many of our students are keen to pursue a career within the criminal justice system, so Bradford Law School was delighted to welcome Neil Franklin, Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Yorkshire to speak about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service, new developments and careers within the organisation.

Neil was accompanied by Sam Tiger, who is a barrister completing her pupillage with the CPS.

"The CPS is a large national organisation - a government department headed by a government minister, the Attorney General. It is the principal prosecution authority in England and Wales. All cases are brought to the CPS by the police. This includes anyone charged with a criminal offence, and those cases where advice is required prior to charge. The CPS works closely with the police, courts and other agencies. Public Service Agreements facilitate 'joined up' government and criminal justice agencies are interdependent, needing to work together to deliver their objectives. The CPS depends on the Police to provide accurate evidence, files et cetera, and on the Courts to process cases efficiently. The Courts in turn depend on the CPS and Police. The Probation Service rely on accurate information from the CPS, in order to work with the Courts and Prison Service. Youth Offender Teams and Prison Service similarly depend on the Police, Courts and CPS.


They work together through 42 Criminal Justice Boards.The local board comprises of:

Chief Crown Prosecutor - Chair (Neil Franklin)
Chief Constable
Head of Magistrates
Head of Crown Court
Chief Probation Officer
Manager of the Youth Offending Team
Governor of Armley Prison"

CPS role

The main characteristics and responsibilities can be summarised as:

  • Independent - of police, politicians. The CPS determine whether a case should run and are a constitutional brake on police powers, otherwise we would live in a police state.

  • Prosecuting

  • Advisory. Assisting courts. CPS lawyers act as officers of court.

Other things the CPS do:

Advocacy
At the Magistrates Court - initial hearings, committal, trial
At the Crown Court - bail applications, preliminary hearings, planning and direction of hearings and trials.

Now those planning a career as a lawyer with the CPS can advise on cases from the cradle to the grave, and do trials in Crown Court in an increasing number of more serious cases. The direction of travel for the CPS lawyer is a move towards involvement in prosecutions, as in Scotland, where there is already the role of Procurator Fiscal.

There is also increased activity within the community to address the key issue of public confidence and show accountability to local people. This is done by involvement in:

Community forums
Crime and Disorder groups
Race and Harassment forums
Domestic Violence Support groups
Local media