Who we are and what we do

Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) is an independent statutory body reporting to the Attorney General, whose primary function is to promote the effectiveness, efficiency and value for money of those we inspect and in doing so, enhance the quality of justice.

HMCPSI is the first independent quality assurance body for a prosecuting authority in the world.

HMCPSI was set up an independent inspectorate under the Crown Prosecution Service Act 2000 to provide assurance to Parliament/the Attorney General on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the principal prosecuting authority for criminal cases in England and Wales.

The organisation was originally established as an internal quality assurance unit within the CPS in 1995. Following recommendations in a review by Sir Iain Glidewell, it became an independent statutory body.

HMCPSI now also has the same statutory remit to inspect Revenue and Customs Prosecution Authority[1] (RCPO) and the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Northern Ireland (CJINI) can delegate similar functions relating to prosecution inspection in Northern Ireland[2].

The Attorney General may ask HMCPSI to inspect other prosecution bodies for which she has responsibility, or to inspect bodies where they are agreeable to voluntary inspection, and to undertake reviews of high profile cases.

See also: General Information leaflet on HMCPSI

[1] Police and Justice Act 2006

[2] Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002

HMCPSI’s vision, mission and values

The inspectorate strives to achieve excellence in all aspects of its activities and, in particular, to provide customers and stakeholders with consistent and professional inspection and evaluation processes together with advice and guidance, all measured against recognised quality standards and defined performance levels.

The inspectorate exists to enhance the quality of justice through independent inspection and assessment which improves the effectiveness of prosecution services, providing assurance to Ministers, Government and the public. In order to achieve this we want to be an organisation which

• performs to the highest possible standards
• inspires pride
• commands respect
• works in partnership with other criminal justice inspectorates and agencies but without compromising its robust independence
• values all its staff and
• seeks continuous improvement.

We endeavour to be true to our values, as defined below, in all that we do

consistency: Adopting the same principles and core procedures for each inspection, and applying the same standards and criteria to the evidence we collect.

thoroughness: Ensuring that our decisions and findings are based on information that has been thoroughly researched and verified, with an appropriate audit trail.

integrity: Demonstrating integrity in all that we do through the application of our other values.

professionalism: Demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, courtesy and consideration in all our behaviours.

objectivity: Approaching every inspection with an open mind. We will not allow personal opinions to influence our findings. We will report things as we find them.

Taken together, these mean: we demonstrate integrity, objectivity and professionalism at all times and in all aspects of our work and that our findings are based on information that has been thoroughly researched, verified and evaluated according to consistent standards and criteria.