CPS in trouble over 'poor housekeeping'

The CPS appears to be having difficulty with its filing

Thursday, 22, May 2008 12:00

The crown prosecution service (CPS) has come under attack for poor management of its case files.

The CPS Inspectorate's Audit of CPS Performance says confusion over the maintenance of paper and electronic files is at the heart of the problem.

Decisions and actions taken are often not recorded, the report says, and staff often find it "difficult or impossible" to follow what has previously happened in the case.

Chief inspector Stephen Woolmer said: "Good housekeeping in relation to case files is an essential prerequisite of effective prosecutions. Information and documents must be accessible to those requiring them – especially at court.

"The weaknesses found by this review often cause difficulty for the CPS in progressing cases expeditiously, particularly through the magistrates' courts."

A spokesperson for the CPS said it accepted the recommendations of the report, including measures to record defendants' bail status and ensuring the outcome of all court hearings are recorded on file.

She admitted one court case had been dropped as a result of "poor paperwork" but rejected media claims this was taking place on a more widespread basis.

"The report says that one case was abandoned after new evidence came to light but there is no indication in the report that this new evidence would have made any difference to the decision we had taken," the spokesperson commented.

"We accept the recommendations and we are introducing systems to improve our processing of magistrates' court files, reduce delays and improve our case management."