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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and present cases in court, advising police and stakeholders.
- Company: Join the Crown Prosecution Service, a vital part of the justice system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified lawyer with a law degree and relevant training.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 44500 - 49000 £ per year.
About Our Client
The Crown Prosecution Service, the independent body in England and Wales that prosecutes criminal cases investigated by the police, deciding charges, preparing cases, and presenting them in court while supporting victims.
Job Description
As a crown prosecutor you are based in the magistrates' court, working with prosecution teams to review and present evidence in cases ranging from common assault to drugs offences. The crown prosecutor position is our entry level lawyer role; it is ideal if you are a newly qualified lawyer or have no criminal law experience. You gain a wealth of exposure in the criminal court, further developing your legal knowledge and career progression. Initially you work on more straightforward cases but should progress quickly to dealing with more serious casework. On completion of your crown prosecutor training, you are able to advise police and other investigators (except statutory pre charge advice), undertake advocacy, and prepare cases in summary and either way matters heard in the magistrates' court. Your role involves advocacy in the Magistrates Court, where you will spend most of your time prosecuting the full range of courts. You will work with stakeholders, including the police, court staff and defence solicitors, and support victims and witnesses attending court to give evidence in contested matters. You benefit from a structured induction, a four month training plan and opportunities to shadow colleagues across the organisation. Once you gain further experience you have options to progress into senior crown prosecutor, crown advocate and legal manager roles.
Your Roles and Responsibilities
- To prepare and present cases for prosecution in the magistrates' court
- To advise police and other investigators on casework in a wide range of summary only and some either way offences
- To decide, based on evidence, whether prosecutions should proceed or be discontinued in matters heard in the magistrates' court
- To explain our decisions clearly to stakeholders including magistrates, counsel, victims, witnesses and the police
- To work effectively as part of a multiskilled team
The Successful Applicant
The successful candidate will be a qualified lawyer who is able to demonstrate commitment to public service, making a difference to communities and Crown Prosecution Service values. You will be focused on personal development and career progression. No prior experience in criminal law is required for this role.
Qualifications
- Legally qualified: You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister and must obtain a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales by 16 March 2026.
- Academic: You must have a law degree, the Common Professional Examination and/or a Graduate Diploma in Law.
- Professional: You must have completed a Legal Practice Course, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam or Bar Professional Training Course and the relevant pupillage and training contract, or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board.
- CILEx: You must be a Fellow of CILEx and a CILEx Advocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates, providing you with a "general qualification" within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. You must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates' courts, to meet the Crown Prosecutor requirements specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. If you do not hold this CILEx qualification you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy. If you are unsure whether you have qualified through CILEx, contact us to establish your eligibility for this role. If you apply and are found not to possess any of the above, any offer of employment will be withdrawn, or the contract terminated. Equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.
Crown Prosecutors Court Attendance
Crown prosecutors are court based positions only. Successful candidates are required to attend court daily to carry out their role. The Crown Prosecution Service is a disability confident employer and is committed to make reasonable adjustments to enable daily attendance at court. We encourage you to consider whether the commute from home to the office/court is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. If you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Fraud check
The Crown Prosecution Service provides a Fair Processing Notice to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates are informed that, as one aspect of pre employment screening, their personal details - name, National Insurance number and date of birth - are checked against the Internal Fraud Database. Anyone included on the database is refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. The Crown Prosecution Service, on behalf of the vacancy holder, informs applicants when they are refused employment because they are included in the Internal Fraud Database.
What's on Offer
The starting salary and benefits for this opportunity are:
- Salary: £44,520 - £47,720 (National) and £46,800 - £50,000 + £3,150 Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) in London.
- A Civil Service contributory pension of up to 28.9%
- 25 days' leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years
- Lawyer training programme
- An extra privilege day to mark the King's birthday
- Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
- Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work
- A Cycle2Work scheme, employee savings
- A range of learning and development activities, an individual learning account, and central and local development opportunities
Please note that this role is available nationally, but this advert is specifically for candidates who would wish to be located in Brighton and Hove, Cambridge, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Eastleigh, Guildford, Ipswich, London, Northampton, St Albans.
Crown Prosecutor (CPS) - qualified entry level role employer: Michael Page (UK)
Contact Detail:
Michael Page (UK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Crown Prosecutor (CPS) - qualified entry level role
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Crown Prosecutors on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for you. Building connections can give you insights that are super valuable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how you would handle specific cases or scenarios related to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for public service! During interviews, share why you want to make a difference in the community through your work as a Crown Prosecutor. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and resources to help you along the way. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Crown Prosecutor (CPS) - qualified entry level role
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Crown Prosecutor role. We want to see your passion for public service and how you can make a difference in the community.
Showcase Your Legal Knowledge: Even if you’re new to criminal law, demonstrate your understanding of legal principles and your commitment to learning. We love seeing candidates who are eager to grow and develop their legal expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us see your potential as a communicator in court.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page (UK)
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Crown Prosecutor. Familiarise yourself with the types of cases you'll be handling and the legal processes involved. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making and problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle various situations, such as advising police on casework or presenting evidence in court. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Show Your Commitment to Public Service
The Crown Prosecution Service values candidates who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Be prepared to discuss your motivations for wanting to work in public service and how your values align with those of the CPS. Sharing personal experiences can make your answers more impactful.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the role, training opportunities, and career progression. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the CPS is the right fit for you. Plus, it shows that you're proactive and engaged!