Witness protection and anonymity
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 of prosecutors in ensuring witness protection and anonymity in criminal proceedings. It details various measures such as special measures for vulnerable witnesses, reporting restrictions, and applications for witness anonymity orders. The document emphasizes the importance of balancing the need for witness protection with the defendant's right to a fair trial as enshrined in legal principles, particularly under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Key points
- Witness protection is essential for vulnerable individuals in criminal cases.
- Prosecutors must ensure that the rights of witnesses under the ECHR are protected.
- Applications for anonymity should be a last resort and must consider the fair trial rights of the defendant.
- Reporting restrictions can be used to protect witnesses, especially minors.
- Anonymity orders require careful consideration and sufficient evidence to ensure safety without denying fair trial rights.
Public-interest factors
- Protecting witnesses from harm
- Ensuring a fair trial for defendants
- Maintaining public confidence in the justice system
- Facilitating witness cooperation with prosecutions
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.