Disclosure Manual: Chapter 24 - Security of Sensitive Material Schedules and Unused Material
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 classification of sensitive material as per the Government Security Classifications Scheme. It categorizes information into 'Official', 'Sensitive Official', 'Secret', and 'Top Secret', detailing the criteria and handling procedures for each classification. The documentation emphasizes the responsibility of the agency generating the material to determine its classification and the importance of protecting sensitive information.
Key points
- Material is classified into 'Official', 'Secret', and 'Top Secret' based on sensitivity.
- Most CPS case information is classified as 'Official'.
- Examples of 'Official Sensitive' include high-profile cases requiring controlled access.
- 'Secret' information is required to protect very sensitive data from significant threats.
- 'Top Secret' relates to information that directly supports national security.
- Classification responsibility lies with the generating agency.
- CPS must handle information per the provided security marking.
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.