Private prosecutions: safeguards

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Jun 2020 Closed: 31 Oct 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry examined the safeguards that exist for private prosecutions brought by organisations who act as the investigator, prosecutor but are also the victim of the alleged offence. It looked at: Whether existing safeguards are enough to limit the potential for private prosecutions by large organisations to cause miscarriages of … Read more
8 Recommendations
1 Conclusion
1 Report
6 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
1 Nov
2022
Correspondence
18 Jan
2022
Correspondence
8 Dec
2021
Correspondence
22 Jul
2021
Correspondence
4 Mar
2021
Report published
2 Oct
2020
Report published
24 Jun
2020
Correspondence
24 Jun
2020
Correspondence
Title HC No. Published Items Response
9th Report: Private prosecutions: safeguards HC 497 2 Oct 2020 9 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
Clear
7 Recommendation Not Addressed
9th Report: Private prosecutions: …
We agree that every defendant who is privately prosecuted should be informed of his or...
We agree that every defendant who is privately prosecuted should be informed of his or her right to seek a review from the CPS. We recommend that this change be implemented by a change to the Criminal Procedure Rules. In … Read more
Government Response
The government's response refers to a previous recommendation (number 4) and then discusses recommendation 9, stating agreement on ensuring no disparity between private and public prosecutions. The specific recommendations regarding changes to Criminal Procedure Rules or a duty on police were not addressed.
Ministry of Justice
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
9th Report: Private prosecutions: …
There is a strong case that organisations which bring significant numbers of private prosecutions should...
There is a strong case that organisations which bring significant numbers of private prosecutions should be subject to inspections. If an organisation is found to be misusing the power to bring private prosecutions, then the body responsible for inspecting all … Read more
Government Response
The government's response states agreement on ensuring no disparity between private and public prosecutions through existing and proposed reforms to rules and costs, but it does not address the recommendation for inspecting private prosecution organisations or granting powers to restrict their prosecution rights.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 9 of 8 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 2
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 2
Total 8 recs + 1 conclusion
Correspondence 6 letters
1 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Gareth Johnson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice, dated 25 October 2022, on private prosecutions - safeguards
Parliament page
18 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from James Cartlidge MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, dated 13 January 2022, on Private Prosecutions Safeguards
Parliament page
8 Dec 2021 From committee Letter to the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, dated 25 November 2021, on the response to Private Prosecutions report
Parliament page
22 Jul 2021 Evidence from Post Office on Private prosecutions safeguards
Parliament page
24 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Helen Pitcher, Chairman, Criminal Cases Review Commission on Post Office private prosecutions
Parliament page
24 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Sir Robert Neill MP, Chair, Justice Committee to Helen Pitcher, Chairman, Criminal Cases Review Commission on Private prosecutions: safeguards
Parliament page