Appeals to the Court of Appeal
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the procedure for defendants' appeals against conviction and/or sentence in the Crown Court. It discusses the legal framework, including key provisions of the Criminal Appeal Act and relevant procedures for filing appeals, responding to applications, and dealing with new evidence. Specific responsibilities and notifications for the Appeals and Review Unit are also detailed, emphasizing the importance of these procedures in maintaining a coherent approach to appeals within the CPS.
Key points
- Defendants can appeal against conviction or sentence in the Crown Court.
- Leave to appeal is required in all cases unless a certificate of fitness for appeal is granted.
- Appeals must be lodged within 28 days of the conviction or sentence.
- Prosecutors are required to respond to specific appeal applications to assist the Court's decision.
- The Court of Appeal may hear new evidence if certain criteria are met.
- The Appeals and Review Unit oversees the majority of appeals within the CPS.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring convictions are robust and just
- Maintaining public confidence in the justice system
- Safeguarding rights of defendants
- Upholding standards of legal representation
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.