Disclosure Manual: Chapter 30 - Digital 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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 CPS prosecution guidance outlines protocols for handling digital material in criminal investigations, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to established guidelines for disclosure and examination of digital evidence. It discusses the importance of prosecutors engaging with investigators early in the digital disclosure process and provides details on the legal frameworks governing the extraction and analysis of digital information from electronic devices. The guidance also stresses the principles of necessity and proportionality in accessing digital material, ensuring that investigators pursue reasonable lines of inquiry while respecting privacy rights.
Key points
- Prosecutors must engage early with investigators about digital strategy.
- Compliance with the Attorney General’s Guidelines on disclosure is essential.
- Digital disclosure is complex and resource-intensive.
- Strategies should ensure proportional access to digital information.
- Consideration must be given to legal professional privilege.
- Continuous engagement with the defense is necessary for transparency.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fair trial rights.
- Protecting the privacy of victims and witnesses.
- Maintaining the integrity of the investigation process.
- Facilitating timely and thorough investigations.
- Avoiding unnecessary intrusion into private data.
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.