Disclosure Manual: Chapter 15 - Defence Disclosure
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 chapter provides guidance on the defence disclosure requirements in criminal proceedings, detailing the obligations and procedures for the accused and prosecutors regarding defence statements and witness details. It explains the statutory requirements, the review process for defence statements, timelines for submission, and compliance issues related to the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). Key insights include the necessity of adequate defence disclosure to facilitate a fair trial and the consequences of failing to comply.
Key points
- Accused must serve a defence statement after initial prosecution disclosure in Crown Court.
- No obligation to serve a defence statement in magistrates' court, but may choose to do so.
- Time limits for serving defence statements are 14 days in magistrates' court and 28 days in Crown Court.
- The defence statement must outline the nature of the defence and specific facts in dispute.
- Prosecutors must review defence statements and advise on reasonable lines of enquiry.
- Non-compliance with disclosure requirements may lead to adverse inferences at trial.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fair trial process
- Encouraging timely disclosure of evidence
- Facilitating efficient court proceedings
- Promoting accountability in prosecution duties
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.