Disclosure Manual: Chapter 4 - Relevance, Recording and Retention
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 prosecution guidance outlines the requirements for the retention of relevant material obtained during criminal investigations as mandated by the CPIA Code of Practice. It discusses the definition of relevant material, the obligations of investigators and disclosure officers, and provides guidance on handling digital material. The manual emphasizes the importance of documenting all information that might influence the investigation and ensures a fair trial for suspects.
Key points
- Material relevant to an investigation must be retained according to CPIA guidelines.
- Investigators must err on the side of caution to record all potential evidence.
- Negative information is as critical to the investigation as positive information.
- Regular review of material is necessary to identify relevance as cases develop.
- Digital material is increasingly important and must be handled appropriately.
Public-interest factors
- Ensures fair trial rights are upheld
- Supports justice system integrity
- Promotes thorough investigations
- Enhances prosecutorial transparency
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.