Expert Guidance on Disclosure, Unused Material and Case Management
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 CPS prosecution guidance provides practical instructions for expert witnesses regarding their obligations around disclosure, unused material, and effective case management. It highlights the duty to assist the court, the importance of retaining, recording, and revealing unused material, and the consequences of non-compliance. Additionally, it emphasizes the overarching principle of ensuring justice in criminal proceedings, as well as the specific requirements for prosecution experts and their responsibilities in disclosing information.
Key points
- Experts must assist the court and act impartially.
- Disclosure of unused material is essential for compliance with criminal procedure rules.
- Prosecution experts must retain, record, and reveal all relevant materials.
- Failure to comply can lead to adverse consequences including halted prosecutions.
- Expert witnesses must sign a self-certificate confirming their understanding of obligations.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring fairness in legal proceedings.
- Maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system.
- Promoting confidence in expert testimony.
- Facilitating open communication between experts and prosecution teams.
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.