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Our inspection programme

Each year, we work with our stakeholders to decide what inspections we will carry out and publish the resulting inspection programme in our annual business plan.

Our stakeholders include the Law Officers, the Attorney General and Solicitor General; senior members of the judiciary; academics; Members of Parliament; representatives of specialist groups, such as victim support groups; and the organisations we inspect.

Business Plan 2025 – 2026

HMCPSI Business Plan 2025-26

Other inspections

Sometimes we are asked to carry out inspections on short notice. Naturally, it is not possible to include these in our inspection programme, but we do build flexibility into the programme to try to make sure we can assist with short notice requests.

Current and upcoming inspections

Clear
6 reports

VCL Inspection Scope

Our aim is to determine whether the quality of VCL letters has improved and whether any actions taken since 2020 have led to better communication with victims. The findings will be presented in a way that highlights progress and identifies any areas where further improvement may be needed.

SFO use of Counsel Inspection Scope 2025

We set out in the HMCPSI business plan 2025-26 that we aimed to carry out an inspection into the SFO’s use of external counsel.

SPA Follow-up Inspection – Scope

A follow-up inspection of the recommendations made in the 2024 report: An inspection by invitation of the quality of casework in the Service Prosecuting Authority

Crimes Against Older People Inspection – Scope

This inspection will examine whether older people can be confident in the CPS’s approach to prosecuting cases in which they are victims.

HMCPSI Inspection of CPS’ handling of Knife Crime 2025 – Scope

We will assess the quality of legal decision making and compliance with CPS’s policy and guidance in both possession of knives and bladed article offences, as well as those relating to the sale and manufacture of knives, if suitable cases can be identified.

Health and Safety Executive Inspection – scope

HMCPSI has been invited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the assistance provisions to inspect the quality of their Legal Services Division’s prosecution casework.