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Victims’ Right to Review Scheme: does a victim have a right to make representation?
Sophie Bolzonello
The Justice Committee convened to undertake an inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the safeguards in place to regulate private prosecutions in England and Wales. The inquiry was triggered by the recent scandal involving the Post Office workers’ convictions. Accordingly, the Justice Committee focused on those prosecutions where an organisation is allowed to act as a prosecutor when it is also the victim and the investigator of an alleged offence.
Kingsley Napley LLP was one of the 42 specialists in the field of private prosecutions who made representations to the Justice Committee on this important issue. In our representation we welcomed the Justice Committee’s inquiry and recognised the significant concerns that follow the judgments the Post Office workers’ cases, however we maintained that the safeguards currently in place are sufficient to protect putative defendants from an abusive prosecution. On the key issue to be considered we took the view that is no difference in the safeguards that apply to a private prosecution conducted by an individual and those conducted by commercial organisations. If an organisation has been the victim of crime, there is no reason in principle why an investigation and prosecution should not follow.
Kingsley Napley has vast experience of working with organisations that prosecute as a measure of last resort when compliance with the law cannot be achieve through any other means. In working with these bodies we have learnt that there are some key steps which can be taken to prevent against a misuse of prosecution powers.
The Chair of the Justice Committee, Sir Robert Neill, said:
The power to prosecute individuals, and potentially deprive them of their liberty, is an onerous power which must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
We’ve received evidence that the number of private prosecutions is increasing sharply. The overwhelming majority of private prosecutors uphold high standards. But the Post Office cases show the potential danger of the power to prosecute being misused. If the number of such cases continues to grow the government will need to ensure that there are systems in place which make such private prosecutions comply with the highest possible standards.
All prosecutions must be pursued with the public interest at heart, either by the State or, if privately, with the same standards used by the State - in all cases with appropriate accountability, transparency and safeguards.
Applying the recommendations made by my Committee would help achieve this goal”.[1]
For the public to have confidence in our justice system, it is vital that organisations that bring private prosecutions do so fairly, independently and objectively with a view to achieving justice and without being affected by improper motive or undue pressure from any source. Where organisations act with consistency, fairness and balance it is possible to hold to account those that break the law without relying on the CPS to do so.
If you have any questions or concerns about the content covered in this blog, please contact Melinka Berridge or any member of the Regulatory team.
Melinka Berridge heads up the team at Kingsley Napley responsible for bringing private prosecutions. Kingsley Napley have significant experience in this area having advised both private prosecutors and defendants in private prosecutions. Our team includes founding members of the Private Prosecutors’ Association.
[1] https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/102/justice-committee/news/119746/safeguards-needed-to-bolster-justice-in-private-prosecutions/
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
Sophie Bolzonello
Melinka Berridge
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