Learning from past mistakes – tips for local government prosecutions

A successful prosecution requires careful and considered action to be taken by prosecutors from the initial investigation stages, through to the final stages of the enforcement process. There are a number of existing guidelines which provide helpful information on some of the key principles and processes that local enforcement authorities should refer to when exercising their enforcement powers or obligations. In addition, it is also beneficial to reflect on real life examples of cases where a prosecution has or has almost been unsuccessful, so as to pin point what potential issues can arise in such matters and what steps can be taken so that the same problems do not undermine investigations and the success of future prosecutions.