Disclosure Manual: Chapter 8 - The Sensitive Material Schedule
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 procedures for assessing and preparing schedules of sensitive material that may need to be withheld from the defense in criminal prosecutions. It emphasizes the necessity for disclosure officers to provide adequate descriptions and reasons for withholding material, and stresses the importance of protecting sensitive information and intelligence. The document also clarifies what constitutes sensitive material under the CPIA, distinguishing it from sensitive personal information under data protection laws.
Key points
- Disclosure officers must describe relevant unused material that should be withheld from the defense.
- Sensitivity assessments should indicate real risks of serious prejudice to public interest.
- Proper documentation (MG6D, MG6C, MG6E) is required for the disclosure process.
- Officers should consult the CPIA Code of Practice for guidance on sensitive material.
- Sufficient information must be included in the disclosure schedule to inform prosecutorial decisions.
- Protective markings should reflect the sensitivity level of disclosed materials.
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.