| answer text |
<p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain centrally held data on the
number of cases delayed as a result of CPS files not being handed over to the defence
in time before the start of proceedings. Such information could only be obtained through
a manual search of records which would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p>The CPS
is however committed to reducing unnecessary delays in the magistrates’ court, together
with other CJS partners, through the Transforming Summary Justice initiative (TSJ).
One of the principles of TSJ is to implement a more effective disclosure process to
ensure the streamlining of disclosure to defence practitioners for first hearings.</p><p>The
Better Case Management process (BCM) and the CPS Crown Court Strategy, which interlink
with TSJ, also ensure that in cases destined for the Crown Court there is greater
focus on Crown Court file build at the very outset to provide sufficient evidential
material for the first hearing.</p>
|
 |
