Council of Europe

The role of public prosecutors outside the criminal justice system Council of Europe

This recommendation draws upon a number of sources as well as on the practice of the prosecution services of many Council of Europe member States that enjoy extensive powers outside the criminal justice system. A report, prepared in 2008 at the request of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) of the Council of Europe, not only illustrated the diversity among legal systems but also showed that public prosecutors in most of the Council of Europe's 47 member States are vested with duties that extend beyond the criminal justice system of their countries. Such powers are based on the various branches of law, with the aim of protecting the public interest as well as the rights and legitimate interests of individuals, especially members of socially vulnerable population groups.