The world's prosecutors should band together to curb the globalisation of crime, Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross says, adding specialisation in sophisticated crime is essential for successful prosecution.

Speaking at a press briefing today Mr Cross said strategic anti-crime co-operation will hinder transnational offences.

"The exchange of ideas and experiences is central to international initiatives to promote more secure societies. Common agendas must be pursued and every effort made to take the profit out of organised crime."

Performance review

Reviewing the Department of Justice Prosecutions Division's performance last year Mr Cross said the number of new prosecutions rose from 215,302 in 2006 to 221,764 last year. Advice in criminal cases was given 14,404 times, compared to 14,895 in 2006.

Government Counsel attended 1,118 court days in the Court of First Instance, 755 in the District Court and 484 in magistracies. Court prosecutors covered 179,161 cases last year in magistracies, involving 12,023 court days.

Last year conviction rates in magistracies were 76.6%, compared with 76.8% in 2006. In the District Court the rate was 90.5% compared with 91.8% a year earlier. In the Court of First Instance the rate rose to 93.4% from 92.3%.

The Court of Appeal determined 552 appeals last year. Of these, 216 (39.1%) were dismissed, 113 (20.5%) were allowed, and 223 (40.4%) were abandoned.

Of the 1,192 magistracy appeals concluded last year, 512 (43%) were dismissed, 254 (21.3%) were allowed, and 426 (35.7%) were abandoned.

Mr Cross said a substantial number of cases were briefed out to private lawyers to prosecute last year. They included 37 cases in the Court of First Instance, 554 District Court cases and 466 magistracy cases.

Domestic violence

On domestic violence the director said 2007 was the first full year of operation of the Policy for Prosecuting Cases Involving Domestic Violence. The document set benchmarks for prosecutors, encouraged best practice in the treatment of victims, advanced transparency in an area of public concern and alerted victims to their rights.

"In 2007 the policy guided prosecutors in their dealings with others, both at the advisory stage and at court," Mr Cross said.

The policy also highlighted the avoidance of delay in the processing of cases, prioritised victim support at court and promoted appropriate levels of sentencing for those convicted of domestic violence.