The expectations of CPS prosecutors are incredibly high. They are required to seek justice and even the minutest hint of misconduct will result in acquittal - irrespective of the main body of evidence.
This is right as they are officers of the court and must wholly believe in the guilt of the accused - which, in a huge majority of trials - will, in fact, be the case.
The defenders are also supposedly 'officers of the court' who are required to be seeking justice. In the vast majority of their cases, their client/s will actually be guilty- and they know it. They are quick to tell clients not to declare guilt in front of them as 'ethically' they would then not be able to defend them. Yes. Right! Ethically, eh?
So many solicitors and barristers present alternative ways of looking at the particular case in hand and thus, actively encourage untruths on the stand.
The adversarial system, one which I have supported for my entire life, is now rapidly turning into something which is wholly unfit for purpose.
For all the drawbacks of an inquisitorial system - take France for example - justice is more likely to be served when a judge is tasked with getting to the truth of the matter! Lying and misleading by counsel is difficult in France where it is a most dangerous and inadvisable practice.
