Related Pages
Related Publications
- 25th Anniversary Speech delivered by Director of Public Prosecutions
- Speech delivered by Chief Crown Prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, at Warrnambool
- Speech delivered by Director of Public Prosecutions, Jeremy Rapke QC at Victorian Commercial Teachers Association Annual Conference
- Speech delivered by the Director of Public Prosecutions John Champion S.C. to the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Academy of Forensic Science
- Speech delivered by Director of Public Prosecutions, Jeremy Rapke QC at Cape Town, November 2009
- Directors Family Violence Policy Launch
- Opening of the 2008 Victorian Legal Year
- Prosecution Policies and Guidelines
- Sexual Offences Interactive Legal Education Program Launch
Web Links and Legislation
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor in Council and must be a person of no less than eight years standing as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The DPP is the head of the public prosecutions service who conducts proceedings on behalf of the State of Victoria (also known as the Crown) in the County Court, Supreme Court and High Court in relation to serious crimes committed in Victoria.
The DPP also conducts committal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court and assists the coroner in inquests. In addition, the DPP has the power to appeal against sentences in certain circumstances.
In deciding whether or not to prosecute, the DPP follows nationally agreed guidelines. In performing his functions, the DPP must also have regard to considerations of justice and fairness and the need to conduct prosecutions in an effective, economic and efficient manner. The DPP must also ensure that appropriate consideration is given to the concerns of the victims of crime.
Director
John Champion S.C. was appointed Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions on 22 September 2011, effective 1 November 2011, after acting in the position since 28 June 2011. Before his appointment he practised as a barrister for more than 33 years, covering all aspects of criminal law. Mr Champion was admitted to legal practice in 1976 and signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 1977. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Criminal Bar Association from 2004 to 2010, including Chairman from 2007 to 2010.
History of the DPP
In 1983, Victoria became the first jurisdiction in Australia to establish a Director of Public Prosecutions, following the enactment of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1982 by the Cain government.
Victoria's first DPP, John Harber Phillips QC (later Chief Justice of Victoria), took up his appointment in February 1983. He was followed by John Coldrey QC (1984–1991), Bernard Bongiorno QC (1991–1994), Geoff Flatman QC (1995–2001), Paul Coghlan QC (2001–2007) and Jeremy Rapke QC (2007–2011).