Deferred Prosecution Agreements - Code of Practice
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 provides a framework for the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) in the UK legal system. It outlines the criteria and processes that must be followed when considering a DPA, ensuring transparency and accountability in prosecutorial decisions. The document serves as a resource for legal professionals involved in economic crime cases.
Key points
- DPAs must be in the public interest.
- The seriousness of the offence must be considered.
- There should be evidence of wrongdoing.
- The company must remediate and cooperate.
- Transparency in the process is crucial.
- Legal and civil penalties may still apply.
Public-interest factors
- Impact on victims and public confidence.
- Preventing further crime.
- Encouragement of corporate responsibility.
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.