*/
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 Sam Townend KC highlights some of the key achievements at the Bar Council this year
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
Imposing a professional obligation to act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion is the wrong way to achieve this ambition, says Nick Vineall KC
Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
