The law in action: how prosecutors apply centuries of legislation to contemporary crime

Mark harms Paul. He may have broken one of several laws. He may have broken none.

So should Mark be prosecuted? Your first response may be "What does the law say?" - a helpful question, but alone it will not provide all the information you need. The law provides a set of rules, but everyday life - and by extension those actions that are potentially criminal - does not abide by an orderly structure.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must consider the law, the evidence in the case, and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute someone for a crime. Its prosecutors translate legal rules and principles into everyday life - working out what they mean in practice for those brought into the criminal justice system for diverse and complex reasons.

Max Hill KC, Director of Public Prosecutions, will explore how the CPS bridges the gap between legislation and individual cases - developing guidance to help deal with a wide range of offending in an evolving society.