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1306863

registered interest
date	31/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Trials
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what estimate she has made of the number of CPS prosecutions that have been classified as no longer in the public interest as a result of delays in criminal trials beginning in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	178563
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) case outcome records compiled in the Case Management System include an allocation of a principal reason for finalised prosecutions not resulting in a conviction (non-conviction outcomes), including the numbers which failed for public interest reasons.</p><p>The CPS does not have a specific reason accounting for delays in criminal trials. However, the category ‘Other charge/indictment; loss/harm minor from single incident; delay between offence/charge and trial’ may be allocated. This can apply where there has been a delay since the commission of the offence, or since the defendant was charged, leading either to the case being dropped by the CPS, or stopped by the court on the grounds of abuse of process. It is not possible to further disaggregate these reasons.</p><p>The table below shows the number of defendants allocated this reason in each of the last five years, and the six months April to September 2020</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>2015-2016</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016-2017</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017-2018</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2018-2019</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019-2020</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>April - Sept 2020</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other charge/indictment, loss/harm minor from single incident, delay between offence/charge and trial</p></td><td><p>5,706</p></td><td><p>4,711</p></td><td><p>4,011</p></td><td><p>4,194</p></td><td><p>4,417</p></td><td><p>6,107</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>% Other charge/indictment, loss/harm minor from single incident, delay between offence/charge and trial</p></td><td><p>0.9%</p></td><td><p>0.8%</p></td><td><p>0.8%</p></td><td><p>0.8%</p></td><td><p>1.0%</p></td><td><p>4.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total Non-Conviction Outcomes</p></td><td><p>107,579</p></td><td><p>94,692</p></td><td><p>84,834</p></td><td><p>80,474</p></td><td><p>70,816</p></td><td><p>21,857</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>% Non-Conviction Outcomes</p></td><td><p>16.9%</p></td><td><p>16.1%</p></td><td><p>15.9%</p></td><td><p>16.3%</p></td><td><p>15.7%</p></td><td><p>15.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total Completed Prosecution Outcomes</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>637,778</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>588,021</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>533,161</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>494,811</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>451,046</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>141,885</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Between April and September 2020, the volume of completed prosecution outcomes reduced due to court closures and social distancing. However, the volume of cases dropped by the CPS are not as reliant on court hearings and were less impacted.</p><p>In response to COVID-19 the CPS introduced an <em>Interim Case Review Guidance on the Application of the Public Interest</em>, as part of the COVID-19 crisis response. The guidance is to be applied for charging decisions, including decisions on whether to continue or discontinue a case that has already been charged. The guidance advises that when considering the question of whether a prosecution is a proportionate response, prosecutors should do so in the context of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the potential delay to criminal proceedings. Application of the principles set out in this guidance may have contributed to an increase in the proportion of cases dropped under the category of ‘Other charge/indictment; loss/harm minor from single incident; delay between offence/charge and trial’.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 20/04/2021 14:31:22 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1304108

registered interest
date	18/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Slavery
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the oral contribution of the hon. Member for Sefton Central of 18 March 2021, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on concerns in respect of modern slavery in supply chains for the procurement of personal protective equipment.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	171587
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2021 answer text <p>I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss important issues of common interest. However, it is a fundamental and longstanding principle of our system of Government that the fact of whether the Law Officers have advised on a particular issue is, by convention, not disclosed outside Government, without their consent. The Convention provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice in circumstances in which Ministers and Law Officers can be fully open with one another.</p><p>The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery in supply chains. On 26 March 2020, we became the first country to publish a Government Modern Slavery Statement setting out the steps we have taken to identify and prevent modern slavery in our own supply chains. From September 2021 onwards, Ministerial departments will publish their own annual statements setting out the steps they have taken in their priority risk areas.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office is working with DHSC, NHS and external experts to develop tailored training and guidance for HMG buyers and suppliers on best practice approaches to preventing modern slavery in PPE supply chains.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 23/03/2021 17:02:56 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1303371

registered interest
date	17/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to increase the number of prosecutions for (a) domestic violence, (b) rape and (c) sexual assault; and what plans she has to ensure that victims of those crimes (i) receive appropriate support to help them navigate the criminal justice system and (ii) have faith in that system.
tabling member constituency	Coventry North East
tabling member printed	Colleen Fletcher
uin	170668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2021 answer text <p>Tackling sexual violence and domestic abuse is a priority for this Government and the CPS is working hard to deliver justice and protect victims of these abhorrent crimes.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2020, the CPS published its own rape strategy – ‘RASSO 2025’. This five-year strategy outlines a programme of work specifically to help reduce the disparity between reports and criminal justice outcomes. In addition, the CPS and police published a Joint National Action Plan for rape in January of this year to improve joint handling of rape investigations and prosecutions.</p><p> </p><p>Also in January this year, the CPS published an ambitious 12-month domestic abuse programme to help narrow the disparity between reporting and criminal justice outcomes and to proactively address domestic abuse offending.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS has continued to prioritise high harms crimes including cases of sexual violence and domestic abuse throughout the pandemic and as restrictions are eased via the introduction of an Interim Charging Protocol in April 2020.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 22/03/2021 17:43:44 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4378 label Biography information for Colleen Fletcher

1301906

registered interest
date	11/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Crown Prosecution Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what Departmental oversight is exercised over the decisions of the CPS Complex Casework Units.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	167187
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Complex Casework Units (CCUs) undertake some of the most complex and serious casework handled by the CPS. A recent report published by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCSPI) found that CCUs are staffed by highly dedicated, skilled and professional teams who deliver high quality casework, often in demanding circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>CCUs are overseen through a structure of experienced legal managers including Unit Heads, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutors and Chief Crown Prosecutors. The Report identified evidence of effective and regular meetings and conversations between lawyers and managers about casework. They also identified evidence of national oversight with the referral of relevant cases being made to Headquarters for consideration.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 17/03/2021 17:44:35 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1301912

registered interest
date	11/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Administration of Justice: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to increase public understanding of the law during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	167190
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2021 answer text <p>Public understanding of the law is even more essential during this unique time when individuals are facing unprecedented challenges. Public legal education is vital to help people to understand the law, their rights, and their responsibilities, and I am proud to work closely with the legal and third sector as part of my Public Legal Education Committee to support and promote this work.</p><p> </p><p>The Attorney General’s Office has also recently supported Justice Week this year, delivered digitally at the start of March. It is a testament to the sector’s commitment to supporting the public in times of crisis that pro bono support and public legal education across the country has continued in spite of the COVID-19 outbreak.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 17/03/2021 17:46:40 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1300884

registered interest
date	09/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Young Offenders: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of young adults aged 18-25 who are charged by the CPS have received a maturity assessment prior to charge in the most recent period for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	165534
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) does not hold data on the number of young adults aged 18-25 that have received a maturity assessment prior to charge.</p><p> </p><p>However, the CPS recognises the importance of considering a suspect’s age and maturity when making a decision. This is included in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and relevant legal guidance, and is included in training for specialist youth prosecutors.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 12/03/2021 10:19:38 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1300429

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Crown Prosecution Service: ICT
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 19 February 2016 (HL6037), whether the Crown Prosecution Service's IT systems can undertake electronic searches of relevant records by character string; and if not, whether a system update is planned.
tabling member printed	Baroness Doocey
uin	HL13955
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2021 answer text <p>There is no planned update or change to Crown Prosecutions Service’s existing IT systems to undertake electronic searches of relevant records by character string.</p> answering member printed Lord Stewart of Dirleton question first answered 22/03/2021 11:57:22 answering member 4899 label Biography information for Lord Stewart of Dirleton
tabling member	4197 label Biography information for Baroness Doocey

1286919

registered interest
date	19/02/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the interim charging protocol introduced in March 2020 for cases relating to domestic violence, (a) when it will cease to operate and (b) what assessment has been made of the efficiency of the protocol.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham West and Penge
tabling member printed	Ellie Reeves
uin	154649
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (‘NPCC’) introduced an interim charging protocol in response to the Coronavirus pandemic on 1 April 2020 to identify and prioritise the highest risk cases. This includes those that involve domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>The Charging Board, chaired jointly by the CPS and the NPCC, oversees and monitors arrangements for charging at a national level, including the interim charging protocol. Local police forces and CPS Areas (including CPS Direct that covers charging outside usual working hours) monitor local arrangements for charging through local Prosecution Team Performance Management meetings.</p><p> </p><p>The interim charging protocol continues to operate and is the subject of ongoing discussion between the CPS and the police. No end date has been set.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 24/02/2021 14:00:56 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4620 label Biography information for Ellie Reeves

1286823

registered interest
date	17/02/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Prosecutions: Fraud
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the CPS in prosecuting fraud cases.
tabling member constituency	Broxtowe
tabling member printed	Darren Henry
uin	154564
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) continues to work with the police and other investigators to prosecute criminal cases involving fraud.</p><p>In 2019-20, the CPS prosecuted over 10,000 defendants where Fraud and Forgery was the principal offence.</p><p>The CPS has a dedicated, Specialist Fraud Division to ensure they devote the right skills and resources to prosecuting complex and serious fraud and economic crime. Their work ranges from prosecution of bankers and investment scams to prosecuting those who seek to defraud the taxpayer of millions of pounds.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 24/02/2021 14:04:10 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4794 label Biography information for Darren Henry

1283781

registered interest
date	04/02/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rule of Law
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the importance of upholding the rule of law.
tabling member constituency	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
tabling member printed	Allan Dorans
uin	911871
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2021 answer text <p>The rule of law is at the heart of the UK constitution. The duty of the Law Officers is to ensure that the Government acts lawfully at all times. I take that responsibility seriously including in my role as legal adviser to the Government and when attending Cabinet, and that will not change.</p>I would like to take this opportunity to thank Government Legal Department lawyers for their heroic work in contributing to the Rule of Law during the pandemic, as the Government continues to be successful in Covid-related challenges. answering member constituency Fareham answering member printed Suella Braverman question first answered 04/02/2021 11:36:28 answering member 4475 label Biography information for Suella Braverman
tabling member	4740 label Biography information for Allan Dorans