The Right to Institute a Private Prosecution

Abstract

The general rule in almost all jurisdictions is that when an offence is committed, the suspect will be prosecuted by the state’s prosecutorial organ. However, there is one exception to this rule in many states – private prosecution. International human rights instruments do not provide for the right of a victim to institute a private prosecution. However, in many states legislation or case law provides for this right. Due to the fact that different states have different legal systems, it is important to study the features of private prosecutions in these jurisdictions. These features also demonstrate the limitations on the right to institute a private prosecution. In this article, the author analyses pieces of legislation or case law from states in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and North America to highlight how legislation or case law has dealt with the following aspects of private prosecution: legal basis for instituting a private prosecution; locus standi in private prosecutions; whether permission from the court or prosecuting authority is a pre-requisite for instituting a private prosecution; the threshold that has to be met to institute a private prosecution; the rights of the accused in private prosecutions; incurring the costs for a private prosecution; state intervention or involvement in private prosecutions; and abuse of private prosecutions.