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The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) have agreed on a new protocol to provide clear guidelines for determining whether armed forces personnel subject to Service law should be handled within the civilian or military justice systems.
This Protocol, which now has a statutory foundation, aims to ensure fair, efficient, and consistent decision-making as to the appropriate jurisdiction in these cases.
The Protocol establishes a structured process for consultation between the PPS and SPA on the issue of jurisdiction in cases of murder, manslaughter, domestic abuse, and child abuse, as well as cases involving suspects or defendants under the age of 18. By setting out clear criteria and a collaborative decision-making framework, the Protocol supports transparency and consistency in determining the most appropriate jurisdiction for each case.