The Police Adult Diversion Scheme is a scheme that allows for some offenders who have been charged to be dealt with in an 'out of Court' way. If the offender completes agreed conditions, the Prosecutor can seek to have the charge withdrawn and a conviction will not be recorded.

The Police Prosecution Service is responsible for the Police Diversion Policy as well as administering and operating the diversion scheme.

The current diversion policy (operational from 5 November 2007) and a pamphlet on the scheme are available to download from these webpages.

Restorative justice

In some areas it is possible for an approved restorative justice provider to facilitate a meeting between the victim and the offender. The Diversion Officer will determine whether a restorative justice process is a suitable way to balance the needs of the victim and/or community and the offender and will find out if the victim is willing for a restorative justice meeting to occur.

Restorative justice meetings enable the victim to explain the impact of the offending on them and learn more about the reasons for the offending. It also means the victim is involved in discussion about what conditions might be appropriate to redress the offending (focusing on the benefits for both the victim and the offender).

Following successful compliance with the conditions agreed at the restorative justice meeting, the charge would be withdrawn.

Police prosecutors will be able to advise whether a restorative justice process is available through a diversion referral. In many cases the only way to access restorative justice is through a court-referred process prior to sentence.

Further information about restorative justice can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice's website.

Contacts

Queries about individual cases should be discussed with your local prosecution office.

Lawyers and duty solicitors can provide legal advice about eligibility for diversion. Inquiries about individual cases will not be responded to from this page.