The CCPE Working Group met in Strasbourg on 15-16 February 2024 to discuss the draft structure for the CCPE Opinion No. 19 (2024) on managing prosecution services to ensure their independence and impartiality.

Members of the Working Group considered and developed further this draft structure prepared initially by the Secretariat of the CCPE on the basis of previous Opinions of the CCPE, as well as Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and relevant instruments of the Venice Commission, European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and other institutions within and outside of the Council of Europe.

Participants agreed that it would be important to examine relevant principles in this field, taking into account different legal systems, models and methodologies existing across Europe. In particular, the role of the heads of prosecution services in ensuring their institutional independence and impartiality within the overall structure of state institutions should be highlighted, along with other relevant aspects in member states. The functions and tasks of the heads of prosecution services will therefore be considered in this context. The Opinion No. 19 (2024) will also refer to the well-established principle that the election or appointment of the heads of prosecution services should take place transparently and free from political interference, and provide contextual insights into relevant procedures and mechanisms.