Manual of guidance

The manual of guidance for the preparation, processing and submission of files gives guidelines for the Police and Crown Prosecution Service for the preparation of case files.

The Manual of Guidance Editorial Board has revised the 2000 edition of the Manual of Guidance in light of various Government initiatives and new procedures, including S51 of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 (the "Indictable Only procedure").

Amongst the key changes in the new 2002 version are:

the ethnicity codes are now recorded according to the national 16 point classification system.

all "confidential" forms have been reclassified as "Restricted – for police and prosecution only", in line with the Government’s protected marking scheme, together with a conspicuous "police" design.

the MG9 witness list has been amended to identify clearly both victims and vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, in anticipation of the Youth Justice & Criminal Evidence Act provisions.

a series of relevant questions seeking the consent of the victim/witness to their details being passed to other CJS agencies has also been added to the rear of the MG11 witness statement, to help speed up the process.

In order to provide more assistance to frontline officers, the Manual now includes clear examples of a completed MG6, 6C, D and E. The Board hopes this will also aid all the other work currently being undertaken to improve performance in the disclosure of unused material.

The Manual is accompanied by the associated Good Practice Guide and will be further enhanced later in 2002 by the inclusion of the JOPI (Joint Operational Instructions on the Disclosure of Unused Material).

This Manual needs to be studied carefully and understood by those who use it. Opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens will not be realised if old procedures or forms continue to be used. The Board therefore commends this 2002 edition of the Manual to you.

Manual of Guidance ( file size 331kb)

Good Practice Guide ( file size 174 kb)

Good Practice Guide (html version)

Appendix A MG forms (file size 300 kb) ( Please note this file includes all the forms in the appendices, individual forms can be printed off below:)

Front file sheet MG 01/2002 ( file size 19kb)

Charge sheet summons MG 04/2002 ( file size 7kb)

Conditional bail MG 04A/200 ( file size 17kb)

Request to vary Police conditional bail form MG 04B/200 ( file size 6 kb)

Surety/Security MG 04C/200 ( file size 7kb)

Case Summary MG 05/2002 ( file size 13kb)

Case File Information MG 06/2002 ( file size 110kb)

Police Officer's Disciplinary Record
MG 06B/2002 ( file size 56kb)

Police Schedule of Non sensitive unused material MG 06C/200 ( file size 6kb)

Police Schedule of sensitive material MG 06D/200 ( file size 26 kb)

Disclosure Officers Report MG 06E/200 ( file size 56kb)

Remand application MG 07/2002 ( file size 61kb)

Breach of bail conditions MG 08/2002 ( file size 6kb)

Witness list MG 09/2002 ( file size 63kb)

Witness non availability MG 10/2002 ( file size 80kb)

Witness statement MG 11T/200 ( file size 59kb)

Continuation of Witness statement MG 11C/2002 ( file size 5kb)

Continuation of Witness statement MG 11TC/20 ( file size 59kb)

Exhibit list MG 12/2002 ( file size 6kb)

Record of interview MG 15/2002 ( file size 15kb)

Record of interview continued MG 15C/200 ( file size 15kb)

Record of interview MG 15T/200 ( file size 14kb)

Record of interview continued MG 15TC/20 ( file size 14kb)

Other offences (TIC) MG 18/2002 ( file size 8kb)

Compensation Claim form MG 19/2002 ( file size 66kb)

Further evidence/ information report MG 20/2002 ( file size 7kb)

Submission of case for scientific examination MG FSSA/20 (file size 34kb)

Items for forensic examination MG FSSB/20 ( file size 14kb)