The Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI) is the department of the Northern Ireland Executive responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in Northern Ireland. It is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland, and the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales. The PPSNI employs 50 Public Prosecutors and over 100 administrative staff.^[1] The main role of the PPSNI is to make decisions on the initiation of criminal prosecution or refusal to initiate it and to be responsible for conducting criminal proceedings. There are also a number of options for dealing with offenders in addition to prosecution.^[2]

Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland

Logo of the Public Prosecution Service
Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast
Department overview
Formed	June 13, 2005 (2005-06-13)
Preceding Department	Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Type	Non-ministerial government department
Jurisdiction	Northern Ireland
Headquarters	Belfast Chambers, 93 Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 3JR 54°35′48″N 5°55′19″W / 54.59664°N 5.92206°W / 54.59664; -5.92206
Motto	Independent, Fair, Effective
Employees	399.2 FTE (2020-21)
Annual budget	£38.4 million (2020-21)
Department executive	Stephen Herron, Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland
Website	www.ppsni.gov.uk

The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigate crimes. The PPSNI advise the police on possible prosecutions, authorise charge, review cases submitted by the police, prepare for and present cases in court.

It was established by the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002. Prior to its establishment the police themselves would prosecute most offences, with some being referred to the former Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland is appointed by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.