The director of public prosecutions has today published a ‘statement of ethical principles’, setting out what is expected of public prosecutors in England and Wales.

Keir Starmer QC said the document, which sets out the ethical principles that underpin and guide the work of public prosecutors, confirms a commitment to internationally agreed standards of probity, fairness, openness and accountability.

The statement, which was drawn up with collaboration from the Law Society, Bar Council and Institute of Legal Executives, lays down standards of conduct and practice expected of all prosecutors.

It covers basic obligations under the law and the Criminal Procedure Rules, professional conduct in general – acting with integrity, impartiality and fairness, and professional conduct in criminal proceedings – and upholding the duty to the court to act with independence and in the interests of justice.

The statement also deals with prosecutors’ duty to consider the concerns of victims and witnesses when their personal interests may be affected, subject to the requirements of a fair trial.

The statement applies to all prosecutors, including Crown advocates and associate prosecutors in the Crown Prosecution Service, the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, and outside counsel briefed to appear on their behalf.

Starmer said: ‘It is important to us that we inspire the confidence of the communities we serve. People have a legitimate expectation that those prosecuting on behalf of the public prosecution service will work to the highest possible standards and I expect all advocates to support our objectives in this area.

‘It has long been recognised that the prosecutor has a special and overriding responsibility to act without fear, favour or prejudice, in the interests of justice and to provide the cornerstone of an open and fair criminal justice system.’

He said the statement was part of the process he spoke about in the summer, when he said the criminal justice system needed to evolve from a system to a service. ‘Our role as prosecutors is to protect the public by prosecuting firmly and fairly, and by doing so in an open, transparent and independent way. Our duty is to serve our communities and to do justice in every case.

‘We want to give people an assurance of consistency in the way we prosecute. Whether we use a public prosecutor or an external advocate, we expect the same commitment to our ethical principles. This is the least the public can expect from us and what we will deliver,’ said Starmer.