Independent Scrutiny Panel

Our Out of Court Disposals Scrutiny Panel independently scrutinises the use of out of court disposals in response to national recommendations following concerns about their inappropriate use.

The role of the panel is to ensure that the use of out of court disposals is appropriate and proportionate, consistent with national and local policy, and consider the victims’ wishes where appropriate. Download the terms of reference below.

The panel is not a forum to retrospectively amend case outcomes, but where appropriate deliver valuable feedback on suitability of out of court disposals application, highlight best practice, and provide individual and organisational learning, whilst increasing transparency. 

The panel consider performance information, and changes to legislation, BTP policy and practice to support them in their role. The overarching aim of the panel is to bring transparency to the use of out of court disposals in order to increase understanding and confidence in their use. Findings of the panel, together with organisational learning, will be reported publicly to support this aim.

Reports and feedback from the Out of Court Disposal Scrutiny Panel meetings can be found at the Scrutiny Panel meetings page.

Membership

Membership of the panel comprises representatives of:

• magistrates
• legal advisors
• youth offending teams
• the Crown Prosecution Service
• Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service
• the Probation Service
• British Transport Police’s Independent Advisory Group.

Due to the unique position of BTP as a national police service membership will remain fluid to ensure stakeholders and regional representatives attend when possible.