The lawyers who work for the state are called the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). They will work with the police to decide if there is enough evidence to bring a charge against (formally accuse) the person who has been arrested by the police and is suspected of carrying out a crime. For example, are there any witnesses? Is there any forensic evidence, such as blood or fingerprints on a weapon?

The CPS must then decide what the accused person should be charged with. For example, in a case where someone has been attacked, the charge might be common assault, ABH (actual bodily harm) or the more serious charge of GBH (grievous bodily harm).

The CPS will prepare the case and present it in court. In criminal cases, the defendant is defending himself/herself against the Crown Prosecution Service.

The CPS does not get involved with civil disputes.