Many of the Law Society’s suggestions would not achieve savings, but create further cost, something we all need to avoid.

The suggestion that prosecutors should meet the cost of acquittals, instead of central funds, simply passes cost from one area of public expenditure to another – effectively robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that the Crown Prosecution Service is inefficient in bringing cases. In fact, the latest data shows that crown court convictions are now at 81% and magistrates’ court convictions at 86.8%.

The real issue is why so many defendants who eventually plead guilty do not admit their guilt earlier in proceedings.

There is good evidence to show that associate prosecutors are effective and efficient prosecutors in magistrates’ courts. It is notable that one of our associate prosecutors successfully prosecuted a well-known musician who was being defended by a silk.

The Law Society is also wrong in suggesting that greater use of wasted costs will produce savings. It will simply create more satellite litigation between publicly funded parties, increasing costs overall.

Peter Lewis, Chief executive, Crown Prosecution Service