A year on from its launch in the West Midlands in June 2025, the
Early Victims' Right to Review (VRR) scheme is now being rolled
out to every CPS Area across England and Wales from 13July 2026,
the Solicitor General, KC MP, has confirmed.
Following the successful expansion across four CPS Areas, West
Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, and Cymru-Wales,
the national rollout marks the next step in transforming how the
justice system treats victims of rape and serious sexual
offences.
The national rollout gives victims of rape or serious sexual
abuse the right for their case to be reviewed by a different
prosecutor before any final decision is made, meaning the chance
to continue proceedings is still available. If that prosecutor
disagrees with the original decision, the case will continue.
The national rollout follows positive feedback from victims who
have been involved in the pilot. This includes those who did not
ultimately request a review, who said they valued having the
opportunity for their case to be reconsidered before a final
decision was reached.
The scheme forms a central part of the government's Violence
Against Women and Girls strategy, which sets out its commitment
to halve VAWG within a decade.
Solicitor General KC MP said:
Rape and sexual assault cause devastating, long-lasting harm, and
every brave victim who comes forward deserves to know their case
will be treated with dignity.
Violence against women and girls is my top priority, and the
Early Victims' Right to Review rollout is a landmark moment.
For the first time, victims of rape and serious sexual offences
across all of England and Wales will have the opportunity to have
their case reviewed, where eligible, giving them a second chance
at justice and real control at the most critical point in their
case.
This government is determined to halve violence against women and
girls within a decade, and ensuring victims are given fairness,
dignity and a genuine voice in the justice system is central to
that mission.
Siobhan Blake, National CPS Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual
Offences, said:
For survivors of rape and sexual offences, the possibility their
abuser may never face justice can be deeply distressing.
Victims must have confidence that every decision is made with
care and expertise. Our specialist prosecutors usually get it
right first time, but when we don't and a case that could have
continued is stopped an apology alone cannot feel like justice.
Some victims in the pilot have told us that simply having this
option makes a positive difference, and two cases continuing
shows the impact it can have.
Expanding the pilot will help us better understand how to support
victims and ensure the right decisions are made.
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott said:
The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) commitment to roll out the
early Victims' Right to Review pilot nationally is a landmark
moment for victims and survivors.
For many victims, the decision to end a case can feel final,
leaving unanswered questions and few opportunities to challenge
the outcome. My own experience showed me how devastating it can
be when a review comes too late to make a difference, even when
mistakes are later identified.
This pilot recognises that victims deserve the opportunity to
have decisions reconsidered before they become final. I am
incredibly encouraged to see the CPS commit to rolling this pilot
out nationally. It shows that when victims are given the
opportunity to be heard, their experiences can help shape a
fairer and more responsive justice system for others.
Additional quotes for use:
The Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE said:
It is fantastic to see the CPS listening and responding to
victims' experiences, and my thanks go to Jade Blue
McCrossen-Nethercott for tirelessly campaigning for this vital
progress.
Expanding this pilot across the country means that fewer victims
of rape and sexual offences will be unfairly denied justice,
ensuring they have the opportunity to challenge a decision before
it is final.
