Disclosure of Previous Convictions of Prosecution Witnesses
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 Crown Prosecution Service's policy on disclosing previous convictions and cautions of prosecution witnesses, which must satisfy the test for disclosure under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). It emphasizes that only relevant material, capable of undermining the prosecution case or assisting the accused's case, should be disclosed. The guidance details the obligations of prosecutors in assessing such material during various stages of the prosecution process.
Key points
- Prosecutors must disclose previous convictions if they can undermine the prosecution case.
- Previous convictions must be assessed for their potential to assist the accused.
- Disclosure should err on the side of caution when in doubt.
- Material not relevant to the case should not be disclosed.
- Convictions relating to dishonesty have a higher likelihood of affecting witness credibility.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fair trial rights for the accused
- Maintaining the integrity of the prosecution's case
- Protecting victims and witnesses from unreliable testimony
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.