Publication date:
The PPS has welcomed today’s (20.11.25) Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland’s (CJI’s) Inspection Report into the Management of Organisational Performance in the Public Prosecution Service.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron said: “As Director, I welcome this report and the recommendations, which should help improve political and public understanding of the important work of the Public Prosecution Service. These recommendations are designed to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms and to assist the organisation to transform service delivery to meet the objectives set out in our strategic vision, PPS 2030.
“As the report highlights, we are already carrying out a range of ongoing work with our partners including the Police Service of Northern Ireland on initiatives to manage demand, reduce delay, stabilise our workforce and improve our service delivery.
“This includes the establishment of a new Working Together programme with police, which focuses on challenges including improving file quality and disclosure processes. By working more effectively together and streamlining procedures, we aim to reduce delays across the system.
“The legislation underpinning the creation of the PPS 20 years ago rightly ensured its independence in operational decision making. However, this had an unintended consequence of isolating the PPS without a political voice or appropriate representation in the Assembly. This was always intended to be addressed by the amendment of Assembly standing orders.
“I have aimed to strengthen accountability and information sharing by volunteering to appear before the Justice Committee twice a year. The changing complexity of our workloads requires much wider public conversations about criminal justice priorities, and I am supportive of finding new pathways to allow for more structured political engagement. The time is right to discuss how this can be taken forward.
“The PPS strategic priorities set out in PPS 2030 are designed to improve services to victims and witnesses and address longstanding delay issues which align with the Programme for Government ‘Safer Communities’ priorities. Like all criminal justice agencies, the PPS is facing significant budgetary pressures. To enhance service delivery and better meet the needs of victims, we need a longer-term approach to financial and resource planning, supported by a strategic vision for modernising and transforming the whole justice system.
"The PPS cannot achieve the necessary cross-criminal justice system transformation without working in partnership with stakeholders and garnering support from our politicians, so improved links to elected representatives are vital.
“An action plan to address all the recommendations in the CJI Inspection Report has been developed and work on this is underway. This includes the development of PPS Workforce and People plans to ensure staff are adequately supported and resourced. I will also be working with the Criminal Justice Board regarding the development of a vision for the whole criminal justice system to ensure that cross cutting transformation initiatives are coordinated and delivered effectively.
“I am pleased that the report recognises the professionalism and commitment of our prosecutors and other PPS staff. I look forward to ensuring that there are enhancements made to the oversight and transparency arrangements regarding PPS policy, practice, procedure and performance while safeguarding the impartiality and independence of our decision making.”
Notes to Editors
- The PPS is a non-Ministerial department within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It is the principal prosecuting authority in Northern Ireland, with responsibility for taking decision as to prosecution in all cases initiated by the police and for the conduct of criminal proceedings.
- The PPS is independent of the Department of Justice and gets funding directly from the Department of Finance.
- All PPS decisions are taken impartially, independently and in line with the PPS Code for Prosecutors.
- 'PPS 2030' provides a strategic vision for the future of the PPS, setting out a programme of work over the coming years to deliver a more efficient organisation that will target its resources to those areas of greatest priority and where greatest value can be added. The PPS’s annual business plan, which includes its priorities including more information on PPS 2030, can be found on the PPS website.
The report will be available on the CJI website.
- Media queries for the PPS should be referred to the Communications Unit by emailing ppspressoffice@ppsni.gov.uk inside office hours. The out of hours press officer can be contacted on 07795 480234, 07920 271804 or 07341 800254.