The CCPE Working Group met in Strasbourg on 23-24 May 2024 to discuss the draft Opinion No. 19 (2024) on managing prosecution services to ensure their independence and impartiality.

The draft Opinion was prepared through the collaborative efforts of the Working Group and the Secretariat, under the guidance of the CCPE President.

Members of the Working Group considered and developed further this draft. Taking into account existing differences between legal systems in member states, it emphasises the central role played by the heads of prosecution services in representing their institutions and acting as the main guarantors of their independence and autonomy. This involves reinforcing institutional independence of prosecution services, as well as upholding operational independence and impartiality of individual prosecutors.

In order to fulfil this key mission, the independence of the heads of prosecution services must be guaranteed. The Opinion accordingly goes on to highlight their appointment/election, term of office, guarantees against pre-term removal and other relevant issues. It also focuses on ethical and professional standards, accountability and disciplinary proceedings in respect of the heads of prosecution services, and finally proceeds to their managerial functions and tasks.