Ordinarily when a crime occurs, the prosecution is brought by the Crown after a police investigation. Sometimes, however, the police or the Crown Prosecution Service fail to proceed – and this can leave a victim feeling aggrieved and in those circumstances it can often be appropriate to bring a private prosecution.

Beginning a private prosecution is not a straightforward process and even when a case is underway, the Attorney General can still intervene, take over conduct of the proceedings and then discontinue them.

But private prosecutions, or even the threat of a private prosecution, can often force the police and/or the Crown Prosecution Service to take a victim more seriously than would otherwise be the case.

Please note that we are unable to give legal advice for free, nor do we give advice over the telephone or by email until you are an established client.

We are lawyers you want on your side. Wouldn’t you like the scales of justice tilted in your favour for once? If so, please contact justice@griffin.law