The Department of Justice Prosecutions Division released its Yearly Review for 2012 today, presenting an overview of its work, key cases and statistics, and featuring articles on topical issues.
Describing the year as one of numerous challenges and extraordinary achievements, Director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Zervos shares his thoughts and perspectives in the review on the work of the prosecution service, including the need to keep "prosecutorial responsibility separate from regulatory or investigatory agencies" to ensure that such agencies do not become the "judge of its own cause".
Mr Zervos emphasises the fundamental right to a peaceful and lawful demonstration, adding that prosecution has been reserved for the most blatant cases when people clearly crossed the line by disregarding and violating the law.
Acknowledging that the Prosecutions Division has firmly established itself as an internationally recognised and respected modern service, Mr Zervos outlines the major initiatives undertaken to improve and reform the service, which include establishing a specialised Cybercrime Unit and appointing a co-ordinator for human exploitation cases, and establishing an advisory committee to better understand and deal with associated legal and social problems.
Other works include promoting accountability and greater transparency through initiatives like Prosecution Week and explaining prosecutorial decisions where appropriate, implementing specially tailored and comprehensive training programmes for in-house lawyers and those from the private sector, and engaging regional and international bodies, as well as conducting exchange programmes for prosecutors from other jurisdictions and providing placements in the division to prosecutors from developing countries.
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