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Paperwork 'hampering court cases' Paperwork 'hampering court cases'
(about 4 hours later)
Court cases are being dropped because prosecutors are not keeping paperwork up to date, according to a report by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.Court cases are being dropped because prosecutors are not keeping paperwork up to date, according to a report by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
It said the Crown Prosecution Service did not properly maintain more than a third of files in Crown Court cases. It said the Crown Prosecution Service did not properly maintain more than a third of files in Crown Court cases in England and Wales.
The HMCPSI's "main conclusion" was that "the majority of CPS case files are not maintained in a satisfactory manner".The HMCPSI's "main conclusion" was that "the majority of CPS case files are not maintained in a satisfactory manner".
But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) denied cases were being dropped regularly because of poor paperwork. But the CPS denied cases were regularly dropped because of poor paperwork.
One incident uncovered in the review by inspectors appeared to show a prosecution had been abandoned despite new evidence coming to light.One incident uncovered in the review by inspectors appeared to show a prosecution had been abandoned despite new evidence coming to light.
'Evidence overlooked''Evidence overlooked'
The report stated: "It appeared that new evidence had been overlooked.The report stated: "It appeared that new evidence had been overlooked.
"It was amongst loose papers inside a file and there was no endorsement to show that it had been seen by a lawyer before a decision to drop the case was taken.""It was amongst loose papers inside a file and there was no endorsement to show that it had been seen by a lawyer before a decision to drop the case was taken."
Inspectors said that, in some cases, the poor upkeep of files meant "essential" follow-up work requested by the court did not take place, and cases had to be adjourned at the next hearing.Inspectors said that, in some cases, the poor upkeep of files meant "essential" follow-up work requested by the court did not take place, and cases had to be adjourned at the next hearing.
Good housekeeping in relation to case files is an essential prerequisite of effective prosecutions Stephen WoolerHMCPSIGood housekeeping in relation to case files is an essential prerequisite of effective prosecutions Stephen WoolerHMCPSI
Several recommendations were made in the report to improve file-keeping standards.Several recommendations were made in the report to improve file-keeping standards.
HMCPSI chief inspector Stephen Wooler said: "The weaknesses found by this review often cause difficulty for the CPS in progressing cases expeditiously, particularly through the magistrates' courts.HMCPSI chief inspector Stephen Wooler said: "The weaknesses found by this review often cause difficulty for the CPS in progressing cases expeditiously, particularly through the magistrates' courts.
"Good housekeeping in relation to case files is an essential prerequisite of effective prosecutions.""Good housekeeping in relation to case files is an essential prerequisite of effective prosecutions."
He added that "information and documents must be accessible to those requiring them - especially at court".He added that "information and documents must be accessible to those requiring them - especially at court".
Mr Wooler said is is "essential that prosecutors improve the standard of recording actions and decisions so that staff working on files will be able to ascertain the current position and take necessary actions". Mr Wooler said it was "essential that prosecutors improve the standard of recording actions and decisions so that staff working on files will be able to ascertain the current position and take necessary actions".
But a CPS spokeswoman said it was "completely untrue to suggest that court cases are being dropped on a regular basis because of poor paperwork".But a CPS spokeswoman said it was "completely untrue to suggest that court cases are being dropped on a regular basis because of poor paperwork".
She said the report "identified a single case that appeared to have been dropped for this reason but the Inspectorate could not say conclusively that this was the case".She said the report "identified a single case that appeared to have been dropped for this reason but the Inspectorate could not say conclusively that this was the case".
However, she added the CPS "welcome this report because it will help us to improve our performance".However, she added the CPS "welcome this report because it will help us to improve our performance".