Reducing delay in the criminal justice system and improving our service to victims and helping them support a prosecution is one of my key priorities.
To achieve this in respect of RASSO (rape and serious sexual offences) casework, it is critical that we have enough RASSO-trained prosecution advocates available, so that trials can take place on the scheduled date. When cases have to be adjourned, further delay in achieving resolution of the cases is the inevitable consequence and causes further stress to victims who have steeled themselves to give evidence.
But providing cover for all cases so that they can proceed as scheduled has proved a real challenge in recent times, notwithstanding the dedication of the many hundreds of advocates who continue to prosecute (and defend) these serious cases. Until the changes (outlined below) that I put in place earlier this year were made, RASSO Panel membership had declined from pre-Covid levels, against a background in which, in fact, we need more advocates because of the increase in cases coming before the courts.
I have made two key changes.
The first is a temporary relaxation of the application process for level 3 and 4 advocates. While they will still be required to complete CPS-accredited RASSO training, they no longer need to complete a written application and provide a reference. This change alone has seen more than 145 new joiners since mid-August and membership return to what it was pre-pandemic. A warm welcome to all those who have joined over that period.
The second change, introduced this month, permits experienced, RASSO-trained level 2 advocates to apply to join the RASSO Panel. This will introduce capable level 2s to our more straightforward RASSO casework, supporting development and progression, whilst ensuring that we do not compromise on quality.
Supporting career progression
Increasing Panel membership in this way is a positive step, which must sit alongside efforts to support those already on the RASSO Panel: briefing equitably, providing clear instruction and appropriate support, and challenging the narrative that has developed over recent years about advocates being pigeonholed and not given opportunities to progress.
Although serious and challenging by its very nature, RASSO work can be hugely fulfilling and is shown to support career progression. For example, our records show us that, over recent years, most of the Panel members appointed King’s Counsel (79%) or moving into judicial positions (87%) had been on the RASSO Panel. RASSO Panel members also have better access to CPS work, with payment data showing they prosecute a greater number of cases (all offence types) than non-RASSO Panel members.
Equality of opportunity is one of our five briefing principles, and we monitor closely the distribution of work and now engage more closely with chambers to achieve a better balance for RASSO advocates. This is again borne out by the data which shows that most RASSO Panel members enjoy a broadly even balance of RASSO and non-RASSO work and proportionality in payment. There are many advantages to developing your practice into RASSO work, and I encourage those who haven’t yet done so to join the Panel, or speak to their local CPS Area about doing so.
Operation Soteria
Increasing RASSO Panel membership is just one of the things the CPS has been doing to transform our approach to this work, which, under Operation Soteria, has set a new standard for prosecutors and operational delivery staff to follow, and provides greater consistency of approach nationally across the CPS. Thanks to better and earlier engagement between prosecutors and the police, we’ve already seen real progress in the way police forces and the CPS respond to rape and sexual assault cases: the volume of adult rape-flagged charges has more than doubled since January 2021, with adult rape-flagged cases now typically charged within 17 days of receipt of a file. Progress is possible, and I want to see similar improvements once cases reach court.
Good quality prosecution advocacy underpins our ability – and that of the wider criminal justice system – to deliver timely justice. The whole system needs a resilient supply of advocates, and I look forward to working together to provide more timely access to justice.
Have you considered joining the RASSO panel?
The CPS Advocate Panel for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) is a specialist list reserved for advocates at level 2, 3 or 4 who have received CPS accredited RASSO training within the last three years and can demonstrate they have the experience and ability to undertake cases which exhibit the characteristics of this type of offending.
If you would like to find out more about joining the CPS RASSO Panel, please visit our website.
Stephen Parkinson has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2023. He began his legal career in the CPS as a junior prosecutor and undertook a number of roles in government, including in the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and the Department of Trade and Industry. Before becoming DPP he was senior partner at law firm Kingsley Napley LLP.