Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Scottish Gaelic: Oifis a' Chrùin agus Seirbheis Neach-casaid a' Chrùin, Scots: Croun Office an Procurator Fiscal Service) provides the independent public prosecution service for Scotland, and is a Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government. The department is headed by Her Majesty's Lord Advocate, who under the Scottish legal system is responsible for prosecution, along with the area Procurators fiscal. In Scotland, almost all prosecution of criminal offences is by the Crown.

The Service's responsibilities extend to the whole of Scotland, and include:

• Investigation and prosecution of criminal offences
• Investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths
• The investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct by the police
• Assessment and possession of bona vacantia
• Assessment and possession of treasure trove

The Lord Advocate is assisted by the Solicitor General for Scotland, both Law Officers. The day to day running of the Service is done by the Crown Agent & Chief Executive and a management board who are based in the department's headquarters in Chambers Street, Edinburgh.

The Service employs both civil servants who carry out administrative and other duties and solicitors and advocates who represent the Crown in Court.