The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (Code of Practice) Order 2020

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Article 2 of this Order brings the revised code of practice (“the Code”) prepared under section 23 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25), in accordance with section 25(4), and laid before each House of Parliament on 7th September 2020, into operation on the same day as this Order comes into force.

The Code sets out the manner in which police officers are to record, retain and reveal to the prosecutor material obtained in the course of a criminal investigation and which may be relevant to the investigation, and related matters.

The Code revises and replaces the code of practice that was brought into operation by the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (Code of Practice) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/861). The revisions introduced by the Code implement certain recommendations of the Attorney General’s Review of the efficiency and effectiveness of disclosure in the criminal justice system, which was published in November 2018 and is available electronically at www.gov.uk. Copies can be requested from the Attorney General’s Office at 5 -8 The Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3JS.

The Code and a copy of the Explanatory Memorandum are available at www.justice.gov.uk. Copies can be requested from the Ministry of Justice at 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen