Department of Justice’s Prosecutions Division has released its Yearly Review for 2011, presenting an overview of the division's work, and highlighting some of the key cases and events of the previous year.

Describing the year as challenging and significant, Director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Zervos shares his thoughts and perspectives on the work of prosecutors, and the major issues and concerns addressed in the course of the year in the Director's Overview.

In respect of public order events, Mr Zervos emphasised the fundamental right to a lawful and peaceful demonstration, and the positive duty of authorities to facilitate the proper exercise of it, and said prosecutors will only prosecute when people seriously cross the line and behave in an unlawful manner.

Regarding first time offenders, he said he has taken a more active role in ensuring first-time offenders are treated with an appropriate measure of compassion to steer them away from crime and not into it.

The key reforms and initiatives introduced by the division in the year include modernising and revamping case management systems, developing a partnership with lawyers in the private profession, and outreaching to the community and regional and international bodies.

The review also includes a feature article written by Dr Gerard McCoy on the issue of misconduct in public office. Prof Simon Young, who led the Continuing Legal Education programme in the division in the year, also contributes an article on the importance of continuing education for prosecutors.