Editing Prosecutor (section)

==== DPP's power to take over private prosecutions ====
The DPP has authority to take over any prosecution instituted by another person or organisation, and to discontinue the prosecution if they see fit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=s6 PoA 1985 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/23/section/6 |access-date=15 June 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615171920/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/23/section/6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The CPS have set out public guidance on when they will take over a prosecution; this indicates that the CPS should take over and continue with the prosecution if the papers clearly show all of the following:

* the evidential sufficiency stage of the Full Code Test is met;
* the public interest stage of the Full Code Test is met; and
* there is a particular need for the CPS to take over the prosecution.

The final consideration is designed to cover the situation where, for whatever reason, the investigative authorities with which the CPS usually deals have not brought the case to the CPS' attention and yet it is a case that merits the prosecution being conducted by a public prosecuting authority rather than by a private individual.<ref name=":5" />