Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is an independent body, responsible for prosecuting people in England and Wales. Created by the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, the CPS works closely with the police to advise on lines of inquiry and to decide on appropriate charges or other disposals in all but minor cases. CPS prosecutors prepare cases for court and present cases in both the magistrates' courts and, increasingly, in the higher courts. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the head of the CPS; he is superintended by the Attorney General and accounts, through the Law Officers, to Parliament. The CPS's Headquarters are in London and York. The CPS has offices based on a structure of 42 geographical areas, corresponding to the 43 police forces in England and Wales. The CPS London Area covers the operational boundaries of both City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service.
- Director of Public Prosecutions: Sir Ken Macdonald QC (Keir Starmer QC wef 1/11/08)
- Chief Executive: Peter Lewis
- Address: 50 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7EX, DX: 300850 Ludgate EC4
- Website: www.cps.gov.uk [External website]
- Telephone: 020 7796 8000
- Fax: 020 7796 8680
- Email: enquiries@cps.gsi.gov.uk
