Coronavirus: Crown Prosecution Service says it has 'plans' in place amid crisis

THE public agency responsible for criminal prosecutions has revealed it has ‘continuity plans’ in place amid the coronavirus fallout.
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Despite the expanding Covid-19 crisis taking hold across the country and now affecting the courts - with new jury trials lasting over three days now being postponed - the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has insisted it will remain fully operational one way or another.

Rumours of all jury trials being suspended proved wide of the mark despite The Bar Council urging the Ministry of Justice to make this a reality ‘for the time being’.

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Barristers said trials must be urgently halted to prevent a game of ‘Russian Roulette’ with people's health following reports of jurors being forced to drop out of cases due to self-isolating, or coming to court when they should have stayed away.

Jonathan Brady/PA WireJonathan Brady/PA Wire
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Portsmouth Combined Court Centre insisted it was ‘business as normal’ while the CPS was taking a similar approach, while declaring it will take a flexible response where needed.

A CPS spokesperson said: ‘The CPS is carefully monitoring developments on COVID-19, and will continue to review its response in line with the latest government advice.

‘We have well-tested business continuity plans in place and are working closely with criminal justice partners.

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‘The CPS has well-established smarter working capability which means our staff can work from home, or other locations, whenever necessary.’

Latest official guidance from the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service says that during the current phase of the coronavirus outbreak ‘the business of our courts and tribunals continues’.

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Those due to attend court are being told that unless they have a confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection or ‘do not need to self-isolate in line with NHS advice’, they should continue to use courts and tribunals as usual.

Meanwhile the Lord Chief Justice, referring to trials over three days being postponed, said: ‘Given the risks of a trial not being able to complete, I have decided that no new trial should start in the crown court unless it is expected to last for three days or less.’