Publication date:
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has today published its Annual Business Plan for 2026–27, setting out its key priorities and strategic focus for the year ahead.
The plan outlines how the PPS will continue to deliver an independent, fair and effective prosecution service for the people of Northern Ireland, while responding to increasing demand and complexity across the criminal justice system.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron said: “I am pleased to present our Annual Business Plan for the 2026–27 financial year. This document sets out our priorities as a Service and the milestones we will use to assess our progress.”
The Director emphasised the importance of partnership working to deliver meaningful improvements across the justice system. A central priority for the PPS in 2026-27 will be a joint strategy with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on serious sexual offences.
“In the year ahead, our focus will be on delivering a range of initiatives with our partner agencies, aimed at driving improvements across a criminal justice system that is facing growing demands on services and ever-increasing complexity,” said Mr Herron.
“The launch of a Joint Strategy for Investigating and Prosecuting Serious Sexual Offences with the PSNI will mark a critical step forward. Delivering against the Strategy will be a defining measure of our success in the years ahead.”
The Director also highlighted broader reforms aimed at improving timeliness and efficiency in what continues to be a challenging financial environment for the criminal justice sector.
“Reducing avoidable delay more generally, and improving case quality, are also key priorities for the Service during 2026–27,” said Mr Herron.
“The overall financial position for 2026–27 remains challenging, and difficult choices will be required to ensure that our limited resources are aligned to our highest priorities.”
The PPS Annual Business Plan 2026–27 is available on the PPS website.