Northern Ireland
Prosecution in Northern Ireland
A single principal prosecuting authority, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
Facts verified:
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The Public Prosecution Service describes itself as the principal prosecuting authority in Northern Ireland. It makes prosecution decisions in cases investigated by the police there, and also considers cases investigated by other statutory authorities such as HM Revenue and Customs.
It is led by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. A Deputy Director has the same powers as the Director but must exercise them subject to the Director's direction and control, and both posts are public appointments made by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
How this system compares with others on five structural questions about the prosecution service is set out in who prosecutes, and where they sit.
Sources
Sources
About the PPS — Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland · Government publication · link verified 2026-09-18
SCOPE: the PPS's own account of itself. The service's about page, read directly. Supports that the PPS is the principal prosecuting authority in Northern Ireland; that it makes prosecution decisions in cases investigated by the police there and considers cases investigated by other statutory authorities such as HM Revenue and Customs; that it is led by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland; that the Deputy Director has the same powers as the Director but exercises them subject to the Director's direction and control; and that both posts are public appointments made by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. The current office-holders are named on the page and are NOT republished here.