Court of appeal rules against accusation of ‘systemic illegality’ in prosecutions of alleged sexual offences
A legal challenge to how rape is prosecuted has been dismissed by the court of appeal in what women’s rights groups have called a disappointing and “deeply troubling” outcome.
The lord chief justice, Lord Burnett, said there was no change “of legal substance” in Crown Prosecution Service policy after guidance on prosecuting rape was altered, precipitating a sharp decline in rape prosecutions.
