Prosecution guidance
Guidance for legal professionals about how COPFS makes prosecution decisions and how we work with partner organisations. Plus, guidelines for the police.
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Agricultural crime policy
Prosecution policy explaining how prosecutors deal with reports relating to agricultural crime.
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Code of Practice: Disclosure of evidence in criminal proceedings
This document gives guidance to prosecutors, Police Scotland, and other investigating agencies in relation to the disclosure of evidence in criminal proceedings
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Code of practice: forensic pathologists
Read the code of practice and performance standards for forensic pathologists in Scotland who are dealing with suspicious deaths.
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Code of practice: Interpreters and translators in court
Code of Practice setting out responsibilities and obligations of organisations relating to interpreters and translation in the Scottish criminal justice system.
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Competition and Markets Authority MOU
MOU between Competition & Markets Authority and COPFS in relation to the investigation/prosecution of the cartel offence established by the Enterprise Act 2002.
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COP26 Lord Advocate’s guidelines: Liberation by the police during COP26
Lord Advocate's guidelines to the police concerning liberation of offenders by police relating to the 26th UN climate change conference ('COP26').
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Deceased suspects policy
This policy explains how prosecutors approach criminal cases where the suspect has died.
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Decision making in cases of child accused
Agreement between COPFS and Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) regarding decision making in cases of children jointly reported to COPFS and SCRA
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Disclosure manual
The Disclosure Manual outlines the disclosure practice prosecution teams must follow in criminal cases in Scotland. View the web version here.
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Disclosure of evidence: Guidance for specialist reporting agencies
Read our guidance to specialist reporting agencies regarding the disclosure of evidence in criminal proceedings.