Victim Communication and Liaison (VCL) Scheme
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 responsibilities and procedures for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding communication with victims of crime, focusing on the Victim Communication and Liaison (VCL) Scheme. It defines victim eligibility, outlines communication timelines, and details the roles of both the Victim Liaison Unit (VLU) and prosecutors in informing victims about decisions made in their cases. The guidance emphasizes the rights of victims under the Victims’ Code and sets clear expectations for the handling of communications.
Key points
- VCL scheme communicates prosecution decisions to victims as required by the Victims’ Code.
- Victims with enhanced rights are to be notified within one working day; others within five working days.
- Prosecutors must draft VCL letters in plain English and ensure they are reviewed before sending.
- Meetings should be offered to victims in qualifying cases to discuss decisions.
- The VLU quality assures all communications sent to victims.
Public-interest factors
- Importance of keeping victims informed about case progression.
- Supporting the rights of vulnerable and intimidated victims.
- Ensuring accountability in prosecution decisions.
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.