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1689908

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Legal Profession: Accountability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she is taking steps to encourage the legal sector to engage in corporate social responsibility.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	14469
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>The Attorney General and I are champions of pro bono legal work in Government. Pro bono publico is undertaken for the public good and supports corporate social responsibility. As Solicitor General, I chair the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, which meets twice annually and brings together professional representative bodies, and those from the public and the private sectors to share ideas and encourage greater cross-sector collaboration.</p> answering member constituency Witney answering member printed Robert Courts question first answered 23/02/2024 13:45:27 answering member 4589 label Biography information for Robert Courts
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472843

registered interest
date	23/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Roads: Accidents
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Crown Prosecution Services threshold for deciding whether to prosecute road death offences.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23706
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>The threshold for deciding whether to prosecute offences relating to fatal road traffic collisions in Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cases is the same threshold that is used for all offences.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS, in making decisions on whether or not a case should be prosecuted, will always apply the two-stage test set out in the <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/code-crown-prosecutors" target="_blank">Code for Crown Prosecutors</a> (the Code).</p><p> </p><p>The Code is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 and gives guidance to prosecutors on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions. It has been the subject of frequent reviews and public consultations, most recently in 2018, when the eighth edition was published.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage of the two-stage test for prosecution (the evidential stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction on the evidence. The second stage (the public interest stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that the prosecution is in the public interest. The case will not proceed unless both stages of the test are met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS guidance on <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/road-traffic-charging" target="_blank">Road Traffic - Charging</a> assists prosecutors in charging cases involving fatal road traffic collisions. It outlines the charging standards and factors for consideration when prosecution decisions are taken.</p><p> </p><p>In order to ensure consistency of approach, charging decisions in all fatal collision cases are required to be approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP), a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP), or a senior decision-maker nominated for the role by the CCP or DCCP.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 28/06/2022 13:33:06 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472632

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Criminal Liability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2022 to Question 5345 on Criminal Liability, for what reason the CPS does not maintain a central record of any defence employed by defendants in criminal proceedings.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23225
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects data to assist in the effective management of its prosecution functions. This data is derived from structured data fields completed on individual case records held in the Case Management Information System (CMS) and reported in the Management Information System (MIS).</p><p> </p><p>Any information recorded in the CMS about the defence(s) employed by defendants would be added as ‘freetext’ which cannot be centrally collated in the MIS and would only be obtainable by manually reviewing CPS case records. Defences employed are by their nature specific to the circumstances of each individual case, so collecting related data would provide little benefit as CPS operational management information.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:54:42 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472634

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Road Traffic Offences: Administration of Justice
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she is taking steps to improve access to justice for victims of death by driving offenders.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recognise that deaths caused by driving offences are particularly tragic cases and ensuring that the victim’s family is appropriately informed and supported in the aftermath is incredibly important.</p><p> </p><p>Crown Prosecutors must always adhere to the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors when making charging decisions in any case. This means first objectively assessing whether the evidential threshold is met, and if this aspect of the test is satisfied, going on to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS operates a Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) Scheme which enables close relatives of a person whose death was directly caused by criminal conduct to seek a review of a CPS decision not to bring a prosecution, or to discontinue a case. This scheme has been designed to be as accessible as possible, with no obligation on a victim’s family to make specific representations relating to the CPS decision, it is sufficient to simply ask that the decision be reviewed.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS also has specific guidance and practices which deliver an enhanced standard of service to bereaved families, in recognition of the particularly difficult nature of these cases. This will include offering a meeting with the victim’s family to explain any CPS decision not to charge, and at various other stages of a case.</p><p> </p><p>Improving the experience of victims of crime is a priority for the CPS and last year it commissioned independent research to better understand what victims want and need; and to identify areas for improvement. On the 27 June, the CPS published its response to the research findings, setting out four key areas of action which will form the basis of a long-term programme of work to improve how it engages with victims.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:52:24 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472635

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Road Traffic Offences: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Crown Prosecution Service takes when deciding to prosecute defendants of road death offences.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23227
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in making its decision on whether or not a case should be prosecuted, will always apply the two-stage test set out in the <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/code-crown-prosecutors" target="_blank">Code for Crown Prosecutors</a> (the Code).</p><p> </p><p>The Code is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The Code gives guidance to prosecutors on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage (the evidential stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction on the evidence. The second stage (the public interest stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that the prosecution is in the public interest. The case will not proceed unless both stages of the test are met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS provides <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/road-traffic-charging" target="_blank">legal guidance</a> to assist prosecutors in charging cases involving fatal road traffic collisions. It outlines the charging standards and factors for consideration when prosecution decisions are taken.</p><p> </p><p>In order to ensure consistency of approach, charging decisions in all fatal collision cases are required to be approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP), a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP), or a senior decision-maker nominated for the role by the CCP or DCCP.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 30/06/2022 07:59:57 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472636

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Road Traffic Offences: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment she has made of adequacy of recourses for the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute defendants of road death offences.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The CPS does not have dedicated teams that deal with road death cases. However, these cases are always dealt with carefully and sensitively by prosecutors who have the skills and experience to apply the relevant law and CPS policies.</p><p> </p><p>Crown Prosecutors must always adhere to the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors when making charging decisions in any case. This means first objectively assessing whether the evidential threshold is met, and if this aspect of the test is satisfied, going on to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, CPS guidance on <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/road-traffic-charging" target="_blank">Road Traffic - Charging</a> assists prosecutors in charging cases involving fatal road traffic collisions. It outlines the charging standards and factors for consideration when prosecution decisions are taken.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:48:51 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1464548

registered interest
date	19/05/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Criminal Liability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many people the CPS has acquitted on the defence of automatism in England and Wales as of 19th May 2022.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	5345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of any defence employed by defendants in criminal proceedings. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 23/05/2022 09:17:48 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1327329

registered interest
date	24/05/2021
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Criminal Liability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of criminal cases have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service where automatism has been used as a defence in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	6191
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2021 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of any defence employed by defendants in criminal proceedings. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 27/05/2021 16:42:48 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1236036

registered interest
date	21/09/2020
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to CPS data summary Quarter 4 2019-2020, what recent assessment he has made of the reasons for the decline in rape prosecutions.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	92683
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>Over the last financial year 2019-20 the charging rate increased by over 10% and there was a 6.2% rise in the volume of rape cases proceeding to prosecution following a decision to charge. Although this is a promising trend which the CPS is seeking to maintain, there is clearly more to be done.</p><p>The reasons behind the recent declines in prosecutions are complex and a whole system approach is necessary to address them. There is ongoing work to improve the handling of these sensitive cases and narrow the disparity between offences reported and cases going to court.</p><p> </p><p>In July the CPS published its own rape strategy, the first of its kind for any department. There is also an ongoing cross-Government review of the criminal justice response to rape. This is examining evidence across the system about the causes of the falls in outcomes for rape and identifying solutions to reverse the trend. The CPS is actively engaged in this review and will address any issues raised honestly and openly.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 28/09/2020 08:31:53 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1169935

registered interest
date	10/01/2020
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Dangerous Driving: Victim Support Schemes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, if he will commission an inquiry into the adequacy of support services for families of victims of dangerous driving during prosecutions for that offence.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	1886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Supporting victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice system is a key priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In cases where death has been caused by dangerous driving the CPS offers an enhanced service to bereaved families, meeting with them at crucial stages of the criminal justice process to explain the anticipated progress of the case and what is to be expected at each court hearing. The CPS commitment to bereaved families is incorporated in the Victims’ Code.</p><p>Where a victim or a bereaved family, in a dangerous driving case, is not satisfied with a decision by the CPS not to charge they can seek a review under the CPS Victims Right to Review Scheme. This scheme allows for an independent review of such decisions, which can confirm or overturn them. Bereaved families will be offered a meeting at the end of the review process to discuss the outcome.</p><p>The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code) outlines the services victims are entitled to receive, including updates on the progress of their case during an investigation or prosecution. The Government will be consulting shortly on changes to the Victims’ Code, in line with the commitment in its cross-government Victims Strategy.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 16:38:15 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman