Prosecution Guidance on Victims, Witnesses and Community Impact
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 provides a comprehensive overview of legal principles and practical advice for prosecutors regarding the handling of witness evidence. It emphasizes cautious approaches to compelling witness attendance, outlines protocols for handling witness statements, and details considerations in managing defense requests for interviewing prosecution witnesses. The document aims to ensure the fair treatment of witnesses while adhering to statutory and legal requirements.
Key points
- Witness summoning should be a last resort; consider all options first.
- Risk assessments are crucial before compelling witness attendance.
- Prosecutors should ensure only necessary witness statements are served.
- Witness addresses should generally remain confidential; disclose only if necessary.
- Electronic signatures are permissible for witness statements.
- Prosecutors should carefully select which witnesses to call to testify.
Public-interest factors
- Public confidence in the justice system
- Protection of vulnerable witnesses
- Ensuring witnesses' safety and well-being
- Maintaining the integrity of the judicial process
- Facilitating effective prosecution of crimes
- Compliance with legal obligations regarding witness treatment.
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.