ABSTRACT
Most crimes are investigated by the police. Other agencies that might detect and investigate crimes include local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, the Serious Fraud Office and Revenue and Customs (e.g. for tax evasion). The Crown Prosecution Service has a pivotal role in bringing prosecutions. In 1998, the Glidewell Report into the CPS ('The Review of the Crown Prosecution Service', Cm 3690 (1998)) had found that approximately 12 per cent of cases were discontinued. In June 2013, the CPS launched the Victims' Right to Review, or VRR, policy which enshrines a victim's right to request a review of any decision taken by the CPS not to charge a suspect or to stop a prosecution. Plea-bargaining does provide benefits to prosecuting agencies. In Goodyear [2005] EWCA Crime 888, guidance was given by the Court of Appeal on the procedure to be adopted where a request is made for an advanced indication of sentence.
