CPS fails to review files before court hearings in nearly 40% of cases

HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has reported its initial findings on its review of the Magistrates' Court system Transforming Summary Justice.  The purpose of the review is to measure what steps have been taken by the prosecuting agency to cut delays, reduce the number of court hearings per case and to ensure that all cases are reviewed before the first hearing.

In 37.7% of the cases  examined there was no evidence that a review had been completed before the first hearing.  The Inspectorate said that the CPS was failing to "engage effectively" with the defence prior to the first hearing.  This was resulting in further unnecessary court hearings.  The report was critical of both the timeliness and quality of reviews.

A full copy of the report can be found here

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