Disclosure Manual: Chapter 2 - General Duties of Disclosure Outside the CPIA 1996
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 duties of prosecutors in relation to the revelation and disclosure of evidence outside the CPIA 1996. It details the procedures for early disclosure during prosecutions, the importance of making all relevant information available to both the prosecutor and the accused, and the ongoing obligations for disclosure throughout the process, including appeals and post-conviction scenarios.
Key points
- Duties of revelation and disclosure extend beyond the CPIA.
- Prosecutors must be informed of any material that weakens the case against the accused.
- Evidential reports must contain key evidence and relevant unused material.
- The Revised Code for Crown Prosecutors clarifies charging decision timings.
- The common law disclosure duty mandates timely sharing of pertinent information.
- Disclosure obligations continue throughout the appeals process.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fairness in the prosecution process
- Maintaining the integrity of the judicial system
- Protecting the rights of the accused
- Promoting transparency in legal proceedings
- Strengthening public confidence in the justice system
- Encouraging thorough investigations by law enforcement
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.