Exhibits - CPS Prosecution Guidance
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 processes and responsibilities related to handling exhibits in criminal cases, detailing how exhibits should be retained, inspected, and produced in court. It covers general guidance before and after production in court, detailing procedures for various types of exhibits, including blood-stained items, firearms, and drugs. Special attention is given to issues of health risks, public safety, and legal responsibilities.
Key points
- Prosecutions must preserve all exhibits until the conclusion of the trial.
- The defence has the right to inspect exhibits upon request.
- Exhibits should not be marked in ways that may prejudice the jury.
- Medical advice should be followed for handling potentially hazardous exhibits.
- Specific guidelines exist for types of exhibits, including firearms and counterfeit notes.
- Prosecutors should consult with the defence regarding the disposal of exhibits.
Public-interest factors
- Preservation of evidence for fair trial
- Public safety concerns with handling exhibits
- Cooperation with defence for transparency
- Adherence to legal standards in exhibit management
- Prevention of abuse of process in trials
- Ensuring effective prosecution and justice delivery
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.