Attorney General seeking feedback on new disclosure guidelines
A new consultation has been launched on changes to the Attorney General's Guidelines on Disclosure
A new public consultation has been launched which seeks feedback on changes made to the Attorney General’s guidelines on the disclosure of unused material in criminal court cases.
The Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure, along with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) Code of Practice were revised to reflect the challenges of modern disclosure practice, including the increase of digital material and the delays this increase causes.
The eight-week consultation opens today and is primarily seeking the views of those with experience in disclosure practices, including investigators, prosecutors and defence lawyers.
Commenting on the consultation, the Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, said:
“One of my first priorities as Attorney General is to continue the Government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our justice system, particularly with victims.
‘Getting the balance right on disclosure is vital to ensure fairness to the accuser and the accused. That’s why I am keen to hear from not only those who have used the disclosure guidelines or CPIA Code, but anyone with experiences of disclosure including victims.”
Notes to editors
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Disclosure is the process whereby relevant unused material, gathered during the course of an investigation, is provided to the defence.
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The update to the Attorney General’s Disclosure Guidelines was first announced in the former Attorney General’s Review.
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The Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP was appointed as Attorney General on 13 February 2020.
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Biography as follows:
Called to the Bar in 2005, Suella Braverman specialised in public law and judicial review. From 2010-2015 she was on the Attorney General’s Panel of Treasury Counsel. She has defended the Home Office in immigration cases, the Parole Board in challenges by prisoners and the Ministry of Defence in matters relating to injuries sustained in battle.
Suella Braverman was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union from January to November 2018. She was elected as the Conservative MP for Fareham in May 2015.
Suella was educated at Heathfield School in London and went on to study Law at Queens’ College, Cambridge. She gained a Masters in Law from the University of Paris 1, Pantheon-Sorbonne and qualified as a New York Attorney.