More than four out of five prosecutors have embraced the use of the Crown Prosecution Service's new case management system - but their union has warned that glitches mean it could be more trouble than it is worth.

The COMPASS system - which has been set up through a contract that is worth more than £200 million over ten years - now has more than 1.5 million cases listed, with 85% of staff saying they are either regular or daily users.


An independent review, which reported last month, found that most users said it had the potential to make efficiencies if all players in the prosecution system inputted data.


However, it added: 'Many of these users report that their job takes longer to carry out because they have only limited office time available to become familiar with [COMPASS], and consequently they still find [it] difficult to navigate.' It called for action to address specific problems, including the lack of a uniform spell check and the absence of a 'back button' to alter fields previously completed. A follow-up review will check on the progress of the system in six months' time.


Prosecutors' union the First Division Association said its lawyers were already swamped with work and were having problems mastering a new system. CPS convenor Kris Venkatasami said: 'We would encourage our members to use it, but the problem is that people simply don't have the time to practise their skills on this.'


Claire Hamon, CPS director of business information systems, said it was pleased that COMPASS had been rolled out on time and within budget.


'IT training is continually available to all staff, and the system design remains highly flexible,' she added.