Law Society responds to MoJ consultation on private prosecution reforms

Article summary

The Law Society of England and Wales has published its response to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ)’s consultation on the oversight and regulation of private prosecutions within the criminal justice system, calling for enhanced safeguards following the Post Office Horizon scandal. The Law Society’s response supports the introduction of accreditation requirements—aligning standards with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), establishing a new code of practice and creating a register of prosecutors. Law Society President, Richard Atkinson emphasised that these measures are needed to prevent future miscarriages of justice and ensure prosecutions serve the public rather than organisational interests.