His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) is an independent statutory body that inspects the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other prosecuting agencies and reports to the Attorney General on the operation of these departments. In relation to the CPS, it inspects and evaluates the quality of casework decisions, casework processes and all aspects of management that support the prosecution process. It advises the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the performance of each CPS Area, Headquarters Directorates and of the CPS as a whole in relation to these issues.
Purpose
The inspectorate exists to enhance the quality of justice through independent inspection and assessment which improves the effectiveness of prosecution services, providing assurance to Ministers, Government and the public.
HMCPSI Vision
We are part of the solution to improving the Criminal Justice System through high quality inspection.
We have four priorities to enable us to deliver this vision:
- We hold the CPS and SFO to account for what they deliver (we make recommendations that drive improvement)
- Victims will be at the heart of inspection (where we can, we will use victim experience in our inspection)
- Using our 25 years of experience we will help public prosecutors improve (their legal casework)
- Inspection will identify and spread best practice
HMCPSI Values
We act with integrity, creating a culture of respect, drive innovation, pursue ambition, and commit to inclusivity in everything we do.
The different types of inspection
We carry out several types of inspection:
- Inspections of CPS Areas and business units – considering the quality of casework decisions and casework decision-making processes in the CPS and all aspects of management performance
- Thematic reviews of CPS activity – taking an in-depth look at a particular issue that may be causing current national or local concern
- Inspections of other prosecution authorities e.g. the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland (PPSNI)
- Thematic reviews carried out jointly with other criminal justice inspectorates
Our reports are published and sent to the Attorney General, the DPP and to others interested in them, including those who have assisted in our inspection. You can read the reports on the HMCPSI website.
The chief inspector for HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Anthony Rogers was appointed by the Attorney General as HM Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. His appointment commenced on 1 February 2025.