Director of Public Prosecutions

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is to provide expert legal service to the Crown in criminal matters. 

The objectives of this Department are as follows:

• To institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before the courts.
• To advise Government Departments in respect of matters of a criminal nature.  

Mutual Legal Assistance (International Cooperation)

In recent times foreign governments have been making requests to Barbados for assistance as organized crime expands throughout the world. Therefore, a substantial increase in requests from these countries for Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters (MLATs) is predicted. Many perpetrators of crime have sought to move the proceeds of their criminal activity out of the reaches of their local authorities with the hope of finding less stringently regulated jurisdictions to hide their ill-gotten gains. It is for this reason that Barbados has become a target for money launderers.

In an effort to fulfil our obligation under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, Cap. 140A and other related legislation, we are compelled to facilitate these requests, through the Attorney-General who is the Central Authority for Barbados.