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
4 Recommendation Rejected
9th Report: Private prosecutions: …
The Government should strengthen the safeguards that regulate private prosecutions to ensure that any organisation...
The Government should strengthen the safeguards that regulate private prosecutions to ensure that any organisation that conducts a substantial number of prosecutions is subject to the same regulatory standards and expectations of accountability and transparency as public prosecutors. We recommend … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to enact a binding code of standards enforced by a regulator for private prosecutors, stating it is not persuaded it would be a proportionate response, but will continue to consider other actions to improve accountability and transparency.
Ministry of Justice
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6 Recommendation Rejected
9th Report: Private prosecutions: …
The Committee recommends that HMCTS should ensure that the CPS is notified when a private...
The Committee recommends that HMCTS should ensure that the CPS is notified when a private prosecution is initiated. The notification process should be integrated into the structure of the central register of private prosecutions. (Paragraph 71) Private prosecutions: safeguards 31 Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, explaining that similar proposals were previously rejected due to concerns about imposing a significant resource burden on the CPS, which would feel obliged to review notified cases. The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee also declined the recommendation for similar reasons.
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