*/
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is insufficiently resourced to handle rape cases in line with its own policies, according to a critical report from its watchdog.
The CPS’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units are supposed to ensure that victims’ complaints are dealt with by experienced lawyers in dedicated units.
But a report from its inspectorate found that despite commitment to improve the service to victims, there were ‘still significant problems’ evidenced by a ‘lack of consistency’ and ‘limited compliance with minimum standards’.
Inspectors found that rape allegations were dealt with by specialist lawyers in only 53 of the 85 (62%) cases reviewed, there was continuity of prosecutor in only 44 of the 72 relevant cases (61%), and files were dealt with by a RASSO unit in only 42 cases, with a further eight cases where this information was not known.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, dismissed the criticism as out-dated, stating that the RASSO units had recruited more lawyers since the research was carried out.
Meanwhile, figures released to Parliament revealed that the agency’s cost-cutting measures have resulted in it shelling out more than £83m in redundancy payments to 1,864 employees over the last five years – £1m a month.
In the five-year period around 30 staff have left every month, each taking a cheque worth about £50,000, while some have walked away with up to £150,000.
The CPS said it had made savings of over £300m over the last four years and that compensation payments were contractual and set by the Cabinet Office.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is insufficiently resourced to handle rape cases in line with its own policies, according to a critical report from its watchdog.
The CPS’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units are supposed to ensure that victims’ complaints are dealt with by experienced lawyers in dedicated units.
But a report from its inspectorate found that despite commitment to improve the service to victims, there were ‘still significant problems’ evidenced by a ‘lack of consistency’ and ‘limited compliance with minimum standards’.
Inspectors found that rape allegations were dealt with by specialist lawyers in only 53 of the 85 (62%) cases reviewed, there was continuity of prosecutor in only 44 of the 72 relevant cases (61%), and files were dealt with by a RASSO unit in only 42 cases, with a further eight cases where this information was not known.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, dismissed the criticism as out-dated, stating that the RASSO units had recruited more lawyers since the research was carried out.
Meanwhile, figures released to Parliament revealed that the agency’s cost-cutting measures have resulted in it shelling out more than £83m in redundancy payments to 1,864 employees over the last five years – £1m a month.
In the five-year period around 30 staff have left every month, each taking a cheque worth about £50,000, while some have walked away with up to £150,000.
The CPS said it had made savings of over £300m over the last four years and that compensation payments were contractual and set by the Cabinet Office.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, outlines why barristers, solicitors, judges, social workers and local authorities across the UK trust AlphaBiolabs for court-admissible testing
Through small but meaningful efforts, we can restore the sense of collegiality that has been so sorely eroded, says Baldip Singh
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Looking to develop a specialist practice? Mariya Peykova discusses the benefits of secondments and her placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
