Senior Crown Prosecutor (CPS) in St Albans

As a senior crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, you work on some of the most complex and challenging cases - from fraud and firearms offences to public order and corporate manslaughter.

The Crown Prosecution Service is an independent body in England and Wales that prosecutes criminal cases investigated by the police. It decides charges, prepares cases, and presents them in court while supporting victims.

Senior crown prosecutors are highly trained, experienced lawyers with excellent people skills and a passion for delivering justice. This role is largely office and/or court based. You are responsible for reviewing evidence and making decisions on whether a case should be prosecuted in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. You will be based in one of three units – magistrates' court, Crown Court or rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) – depending on your experience level. You represent the Crown Prosecution Service on the frontline, collaborating closely with colleagues and other criminal justice agencies, including the police and judiciary. You maintain public confidence in our work. You benefit from a structured induction four‑month training plan and shadowing opportunities across the organisation, and you can progress into legal manager or Crown Advocate roles with further experience.

Your roles and responsibilities:

• Advise police and other investigators on casework and evidence requirements for a wide range of offences.
• Review case files and charging decisions, providing legal advice and making the final decision on whether prosecutions should proceed in magistrates' and Crown Court.
• Advocate in serious and sensitive cases in magistrates' courts, including Youth Courts and multi‑day trials.
• Explain decisions clearly to stakeholders such as magistrates, counsel, victims, witnesses and the police.
• Work effectively as part of a multi‑skilled team and keep up to date with criminal law.

The prosecution teams each Crown Prosecution Service area has a Crown Court, magistrates' court, and a rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) team. As a senior crown prosecutor, you will be expected to work in any of these teams, with placement based on experience and personal preference. Each team offers a detailed induction plan for your first four months.

In the Crown Court team you handle serious casework, giving charging advice to the police for Crown Court and preparing cases with paralegal officers and counsel. In the magistrates' court team you act as an advocate for trial courts, provide pre‑charge advice and prepare cases for court; you may specialise in domestic abuse or youth matters. In the RASSO team you handle rape and serious sexual offence cases, giving charging and early indicative advice and preparing cases for court with paralegal staff and counsel.

Profile Person specification:

• Qualified lawyer with criminal law experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and to the values of the Crown Prosecution Service.
• Focused on personal development and career progression.

Qualifications:

• Legally qualified: You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister and obtain a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales by 16 March 2026.
• Academic: Possess a law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law or equivalent.
• Professional: Completed a Legal Practice Course, Solicitors Qualifying Exam, Bar Professional Training Course and the relevant pupillage and training contract, or received full exemption from the Solicitors Regulation Authority or Bar Standards Board.
• CILEx: Must be a Fellow of CILEx and a CILEx Advocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates, with right of audience in any Senior Courts proceedings, county court or magistrates' court, as required by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. If you do not hold this CILEx qualification you are not eligible to apply. Equivalent qualifications are not accepted. If you are unsure of your eligibility, contact the Crown Prosecution Service.

Fraud check: The Crown Prosecution Service provides a Fair Processing Notice to all new applicants after interview success. Candidates are informed that their personal details are checked against the Internal Fraud Database. Anyone included in the database is refused employment unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.

Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements: This role is open to:

• UK nationals
• Nationalities of the Republic of Ireland
• Commonwealth nationals with right to work in the UK
• EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein nationals and settled or pre‑settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status.
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020.
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals with right to work in the Civil Service.

Job Offer: Pay varies depending on location: Cambridge, Northampton, Norwich: £55,975 starting – £63,500 maximum. Brighton, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Eastleigh, Guildford: £61,750 – £71,400. St Albans: £61,750 + £1,050 RRA – £71,400 + £1,050 RRA. London: £61,750 + £3,150 RRA – £71,400 + £3,150 RRA.

Other benefits:

• Civil Service contributory pension up to 28 %.
• 25 days leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Extra privilege day for King’s birthday.
• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave.
• Flexible working and a family‑friendly approach.
• Cycle2Work scheme, employee savings.
• Learning and development activities, individual learning account, central and local opportunities.