Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Conditional caution definition

What does Conditional caution mean? In criminal practice, a conditional caution is an out-of-court disposal for low-level offending: the suspect admits the offence and agrees to conditions; if complied with, no prosecution follows. In England and Wales it is a statutory scheme under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The prosecutor (usually the CPS) must be satisfied that the evidential and public interest tests are met and that a conditional caution is appropriate; the police then issue and supervise it. Conditions typically require reparation (compensation or apology), rehabilitation (attendance at a course or treatment) or, in some cases, a financial penalty. If the suspect breaches the...

Termination and disposal of criminal cases: from investigation outcomes to discontinuance, stays, acquittals, convictions and special bars (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

$imgtext$

What amounts to the conclusion of criminal proceedings?

Most criminal matters conclude either with an acquittal after trial, or with conviction and sentence following a trial or a guilty plea. There are, however, several other ways proceedings can end. They sit in the following categories:

Without charge, at the end of a criminal investigation

a no further action decision
an alternative out-of-court disposal, for example a simple or Conditional caution

Without a verdict, after proceedings have begun

Discontinuance of proceedings by the DPP (magistrates’ court and Crown Court) or by another public prosecutor (Crown Court) — available before a summary trial begins (magistrates’ court), or before the Indictment is preferred (Crown Court)
withdrawal of a charge or Summons by the prosecution (magistrates’ court only) — available any time before adjudication with the court’s leave
dismissal of the information for the prosecutor’s non-appearance (magistrates’ court only) — available at trial
dismissal of charges (Crown Court) — available before arraignment
the quashing of an indictment (in the Crown...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Eva Niculiu

Three Raymond Buildings

Eva is a barrister at Three Raymond Buildings, specialising in crime and associated areas including extradition, licensing, and regulatory law. She represents defendants across the full range of criminal offences, and has experience representing young people and dealing with young and vulnerable witnesses. She has acted as led junior counsel for the defence in complex fraud trials, and in a murder appeal against conviction. She also prosecutes on behalf of the CPS and a range of other agencies including Transport for London and the Security Industry Authority. In extradition cases, Eva appears on behalf of requested persons both at first instance and on appeal in the High Court. She acts for the Metropolitan Police Service in applications for civil preventative orders such as sexual harm prevention orders, sexual risk orders, and closure orders. Accordingly she is also well placed to advise and represent...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...