Disclosure Manual: Annex B - An Explanatory Note on the Principles and Procedures relating to Third Parties under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the Disclosure of Material in their Possession
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 the prosecution must follow to obtain relevant material from third parties during criminal proceedings. It emphasizes the importance of fair disclosure to the accused while also protecting the interests of victims and witnesses. The guidance details the legal framework under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the responsibilities of investigators and prosecutors in ensuring compliance with these laws.
Key points
- Prosecution must seek material from third parties during investigations.
- Accused persons have a right to fair disclosure of relevant material.
- Investigators have a duty to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry.
- Prosecution must treat sensitive material with confidentiality.
- Public Interest Immunity applications must be considered for sensitive material.
- Witness summons may be used to compel document production.
Public-interest factors
- Protection of victims and witnesses
- Integrity of the investigation
- Right to a fair trial
- Prevention of harm from disclosure
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.