The Department of Justice has released a new code for prosecutors, revising earlier prosecution policy guidelines and incorporating new areas of prosecutorial responsibility.

Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross today said in formulating the Statement of Prosecution Policy & Practice prosecutors' experience in recent years and community interest have been considered.

"Developments in other major common law jurisdictions have been examined, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. Regard was also had to the latest thinking of our counterparts in the International Association of Prosecutors," he said.

New chapters that have been incorporated include:

* the prosecutor and the unrepresented accused;

* the conduct of domestic violence cases by the prosecutor;

* the prosecutor and the recovery of costs;

* the prosecutor and the proceeds of crime;

* the prosecutor and the media;

* the judicial review of a prosecution decision; and,

* the statement of principle for those who prosecute.

The document also develops the guidance provided to prosecutors in 2002 in areas like role and ethics, the duty of disclosure, the victim of crime, the sentencing process and appeals against conviction.

It will be issued to public, court and departmental prosecutors, and counsel who prosecute on fiat, and will become operational January 2. For more details click here.