Disclosure - A guide to 'reasonable lines of enquiry' and communications evidence
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 prosecution guidance provides a framework for prosecutors regarding their duties under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, focusing on the expectations for conducting reasonable lines of inquiry and managing communications evidence, particularly in cases where the accused and complainant have mutual relationships and digital evidence is involved. It outlines principles for disclosure, the examination of digital media devices, and the analysis of material relevant to the case, emphasizing a case-specific approach.
Key points
- Prosecutors must disclose all prosecution material that may undermine the case against the accused.
- Investigators should pursue every reasonable line of inquiry irrespective of direction towards or away from the suspect.
- Retention of evidence must continue until a charging decision is made and through to conclusion of proceedings.
- Digital material examination requires careful strategy and consultation with forensic specialists.
- Defence participation is essential in defining reasonable searches for digital evidence.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fair trial rights for the accused
- Maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice process
- Encouraging collaboration between prosecution and defence
- Supporting accurate disclosures of evidence
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.