CPS online system hits one million milestone

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) online case management system has registered one million new cases since the national roll out was completed in December.

The Compass system, developed as part of the Compass Private Finance Initiative deal with supplier LogicaCMG, has more than 7000 users in 240 locations across 42 CPS areas.

The £200m deal, which was signed in January 2002, includes the case management system (CMS) as well as infrastructure and administrative systems.

'This system fundamentally changes the way we work,' said IT director Claire Hamon.

'The key challenge has been around the management of a comprehensive change programme and the scale of the undertaking can't be understated.

'A lot of staff have put a lot of time and effort into this, not just IT people but across all areas.'

The national system gives prosecuting lawyers access to definitive centrally-held information, with full visibility of defendants' case histories.

The case management system can also be used to track evidence and share information.

'The tangible benefits of the new system are around putting victims and witnesses at the heart of the prosecution process and providing timely, appropriate and accurate information,' said Hamon.

This autumn the CPS will also start tests of connections between the CMS and police forces.

These links are needed to meet the government's target of creating a joined-up criminal justice system, says Attorney General Lord Goldsmith.

'The interface between the CPS and police will help the effective flow of information critical for making decisions about charges and bail,' he said.

Improvements in case management will help reduce the number of trials that are delayed, and enhance victim support, says CPS director of public prosecutions Ken McDonald.

'This is the first step towards a unified virtual case file, which will have enormous benefits in making sure we have all the necessary information,' he said.