Director’s Guidance on Charging, sixth edition, December 2020, incorporating the National File Standard
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 procedures and responsibilities for charging decisions by the police and the CPS, ensuring that decisions are fair, consistent, and comply with the law. It details the processes for applying the Full Code and Threshold Test in making charging decisions, the necessary evidential materials, and the factors influencing public interest in prosecution. The guidance aims to enhance the prosecution's effectiveness and efficiency while maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Key points
- Police must assess evidence and decide if it meets the Full Code or Threshold Test.
- Prosecutors make charging decisions in serious or complex cases.
- Public interest evaluation is critical before proceeding with charges.
- Clear documentation of evidence and rationale is required for charging decisions.
- Out-of-court disposals may be considered in appropriate cases.
Public-interest factors
- Public safety implications
- Seriousness of the offence
- Circumstances of the offender
- Impact on the victim
- Possibility of out-of-court resolutions
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.