Call us 0333 370 4333
06/01/23

Pre-Charge Representations | Criminal Prosecutions

Share

The commencement of a prosecution alleging any form of criminal activity carries enormous responsibility given that, at that point, the proposed defendant(s), whether individual(s) or corporate, are entitled to be regarded as innocent and the consequences of simply commencing a prosecution may well result in immediate adverse consequences, such as attracting the attention of the press.

With these considerations, it is essential that the correct defendant is charged with the appropriate offence and that the evidence available is supportive.

Accordingly, there exists ‘The Code for Crown Prosecutors’, (‘the Code’) for which the Director of Public Prosecutions, as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (‘the CPS’), is responsible and which sets out detailed guidance for those empowered to decide whether or not a prosecution should be commenced.

Prosecutors have to be satisfied that the Code has been satisfied and Tim Thompson of Kangs Solicitors considers the same.

Kangs Solicitors fields a Team of lawyers providing a wealth of experience gained from supporting companies, directors and individuals subjected to investigations conducted by all the prosecuting authorities including HMRC, the Police, the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. 

Kangs Solicitors is ranked in the top tier by the leading law directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers UK.


For an initial no obligation discussion, please contact our team at any of the offices detailed
below:

London

Birmingham

Manchester

24 Hours number

The Code | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors

Whilst the Code is, in general terms, directed towards CPS prosecutors, it is also followed by other prosecutors either as the result of convention or direction by law.

Before proceedings can be commenced, the two stages which constitute the Code, known as the Full Code Test (‘the FCT’) have to be passed which are:

  • the Evidential Stage; and
  • the Public Interest Stage.

There are exceptional cases where the ‘Threshold Test’ may apply, where the FCT is not met and where there exist extremely serious circumstances allowing, for example, the immediate refusal of bail for the defendant.

The Evidential Stage

Prosecutors have to believe that the evidence available and which can be presented to the court is sufficient to establish a realistic prospect of conviction against each defendant on each charge. 

When considering the strength of the evidence the Prosecutors will consider, inter alia:     

    

  • the nature of the Defence case (if known) and the extent to which it may affect the prospects of conviction,   
  • the admissibility of the evidence and whether there may be grounds for a court not to accept it,      
  • the reliability, accuracy and credibility of all the evidence,  
  • whether or not further potential evidence may be available which may be pertinent.

If this Evidential Stage is not satisfied, a charge cannot be proceeded with at that time.

The Public Interest Stage

Once Prosecutors are satisfied that the Evidential Stage has been met, they must consider whether it is in the Public Interest to proceed with a prosecution rather than seek resolution by way of an out-of-court disposal.    

When considering Public Interest Prosecutors have regard to:  

  • the seriousness of the offence,   
  • the level of culpability of the suspect,  
  • the circumstances of and the harm caused to the victim,
  • the suspect’s age and maturity at the time of the offence,   
  • the impact on the community,                
  • whether a prosecution provides a proportionate response,     
  • the protection of any sources of information.            

How Can We Assist? | Kangs Criminal Investigations Solicitors

The Team at Kangs Solicitors regularly assists clients facing investigations by prosecuting authorities, including those investigating alleged criminal misconduct.      

As may be appropriate our Team will:

  • attend whatever meetings may become necessary, 
  • examine any pre-charge material served and advise how to respond to it,  
  • conduct negotiations with any investigating authority, if considered potentially constructive, 
  • seek further documentary evidence as considered pertinent,          
  • prepare such Pre-Charge Representations as may be required.

Who Should I Contact? | Kangs National Criminal Defence Solicitors

If we can be of assistance, our Team is available via telephone 0333 370 4333 and by email info@kangssolicitors.co.uk.

We provide initial no obligation discussion at our three offices in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Alternatively, discussions can be held virtually through live conferencing or telephone.

Contact:

Hamraj Kangs 0340 BW scaled e1690223799706

Hamraj Kang

Email Hamraj

07976 258171

020 7936 6396

0121 449 9888

Tim Kangs 0035 BW scaled e1690222566960

Tim Thompson

Email Tim

0121 449 9888

020 7936 6396

0161 817 5020

John Veale 1

John Veale

Email John

0121 449 9888

020 7936 6396

0161 817 5020

Criminal Litigation, Sexual Offences
KANGS has successfully defended an elderly client who had been charged with a single count involving indecent images. Our client, a gentleman of unblemished character, had, on the advice of his previous solicitor, entered a plea of ‘Guilty’ at the Magistrates’ Court. Unsure about the advice he had received earlier, he sought a second opinion. […]
09/10/24
Regulatory, Services
The GMC receives complaints or concerns about many doctors and will investigate those which raise issues about a doctor’s ability to practise safely or which may threaten public confidence in the medical profession.
25/09/24
Criminal Litigation
In previous articles, we have discussed various sections of The National Security Act 2023, including 'Obtaining or Disclosing Trade Secrets' and 'Obtaining or Disclosing Protected Information.’ We focussed on Sections 1, 2 & 31 of Part 1 of the National Security Act 2023, which is designed to counter the evolving security threats to the United […]
15/07/24

Get in touch

Need legal assistance? Contact our experienced team for prompt and professional support.
Your privacy is important to us and all details you share will be kept confidential.
Old map of Birmingham