Service Prosecuting Authority delivering a good service, says HMCPSI

His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has found that the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) is delivering a good service and producing good quality case work. 

In a new report, HMCPSI’s inspection found that the SPA’s legal decision-making and case progression is of a good quality, cases are prepared to a high standard, and the right people are being prosecuted for the right offences. 

Inspectors found that victims are updated at key stages of the prosecution, letters were generally of high quality, and applications under the Victims Right to Review scheme were dealt with correctly. 

Further evidence of SPA’s quality service is that there is no backlog of cases in the Service Justice System, which means that victims are dealt with in a more timely manner and support given to victims is consistent.

The SPA requested HMCPSI carry out an inspection as the prosecuting body wanted to benchmark their performance against CPS best practice from what we examine when inspecting the Crown Prosecution Service. 

The inspection identified areas for improvement and HMCPSI has made seven recommendations for the SPA to implement by March 2025, five of which relate to adopting best practice seen in the CPS, as well as improving disclosure practices, and better engagement with complainants.  

HM Chief Inspector, Anthony Rogers, said:

“Crimes that occur in the Services are quite rightly prosecuted to a high standard by a specialist organisation that is also understands the context and the sensitives around these cases.

“Our inspection found that the SPA is providing a good service and proactively seeking to implement good practice in their rape, serious sexual and domestic abuse cases. Prosecutors are adding value by identifying ways to strengthen cases and selecting the correct charges.

“However, there is room for improvement, and we have made several recommendations to the SPA to make sure they continue to strengthen the service they provide to victims, the military and the wider public.”  

The SPA is the principal prosecuting authority within the Service Justice System. It is responsible for the prosecution of all service offences before the Service Courts for all three branches of the armed forces.