Consents to Prosecute
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 framework for prosecutions that require consent from the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). It details the procedures for obtaining consent, the circumstances where consent is required, and the roles involved in the consent process. Specific annexes provide lists of offences necessitating consent and requirements for personal consent from the DPP, offering a comprehensive overview for prosecutorial decision-making.
Key points
- Certain prosecutions require prior consent from either the AG or the DPP.
- Consent must be obtained before proceedings are instituted where required by statute.
- Specific offences require the personal consent of the DPP.
- Annexes provide detailed lists of offences needing consent.
- Prosecutors must provide comprehensive submissions when requesting consent.
Public-interest factors
- Public safety
- Seriousness of the offence
- Impact on victim
- Public confidence in the justice system
- Prevention of crime
- Accountability of offenders
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.