Who prosecutes election-related criminal offences?

• Representation of the People Act 1983

Art. 181

Director of Public Prosecutions.

(1)

Where information is given to the Director of Public Prosecutions thatany offence under this Act has been committed, it is his duty to make suchinquiries and institute such prosecutions as the circumstances of the caseappear to him to require.

(2)

The Director by himself or by his assistant or by his representativeappointed under subsection (3) below may and, if the election court sorequests him, shall attend the trial of every election petition.

(3)

The Director may nominate, a barrister, solicitor or authorised personto be his representative for the purposes of this Part of this Act

(3A)

In subsection (3) “authorised person” means a person (other than abarrister or solicitor) who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007,is an authorised person in relation to an activity which constitutes theexercise of a right of audience (within the meaning of that Act).

(4)

The Director in performing any duty under this Act shall act inaccordance with regulations under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1979, andsubject to them in accordance with the directions (if any) given to him by theAttorney General; and any assistant or representative of the Director inperforming any duty under this Part shall act in accordance with those regulationsand directions (if any) and with the directions given to him by the Director.