Disclosure Manual: Chapter 37 - Guidance on Dealing with Current and Past Cases where the Competence and/or Credibility of an Expert is in Doubt
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 addresses the procedures to follow when the competence or credibility of an expert witness is questioned. It outlines the necessity for potential further disclosures to the defense and considers the implications for past convictions that may be rendered unsafe as a result. The guidance also discusses the conditions under which a full review of cases involving the expert may be initiated and the responsibilities of prosecutors in these situations.
Key points
- Disclosure implications arise when an expert's credibility is in doubt.
- Consider whether to send a disclosure package to the defense for past and current cases.
- A full formal review may be necessary to restore public confidence.
- Prosecutors must assess if further disclosure impacts the safety of convictions.
- The Chief Crown Prosecutor must determine how to manage cases involving the expert.
- A matrix for prioritizing cases should be employed by prosecutors.
Public-interest factors
- Public confidence in the criminal justice system.
- The integrity of the prosecution process.
- The potential impact on past convictions.
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.