In brief: CPS and Bar to monitor returned briefs

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Bar Council have agreed to set up a monitoring system to tackle the problem of returned briefs. The move follows a recent National Audit Office report which found that in one area of the UK returns were as high as 75 per cent. Under the agreement, which is due to start next month, chambers will have to submit a report to the CPS giving details of how many briefs they are returning. Problems will be tackled at regular meetings with branch crown prosecutors.