As a crown prosecutor you’re 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’re 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’re able to advise police and other investigators (except statutory pre-charge advice), undertake advocacy, review and undertake case preparation in summary and either-way matters heard in the magistrates’ court.
You attend court in person for most of your working week, representing the Crown Prosecution Service on the frontline, collaborating closely with colleagues and other criminal justice agencies, including the police and judiciary. You play a vital role in maintaining public confidence in our work.
You benefit from a structured induction, 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.
Find out what our crown prosecutors say about working at the Crown Prosecution Service by visiting cps.gov.uk/careers/prosecutor.
Job description
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
A more detailed job description document is attached to this advert.
Person specification
- You must be a qualified lawyer
- You must demonstrate your commitment to public service, making a difference to the communities we serve and our Crown Prosecution Service values
- You’re focused on personal development and career progression
Qualifications
Legally qualified: You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister able to obtain a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
Academic: You must have a law degree, Common Professional Examination and/or Graduate Diploma in Law.
Professional: You must have completed a Legal Practice Course, 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.
or
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 in order to meet the requirements for a Crown Prosecutor specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. If you don’t hold this CILEx qualification, you’re not eligible to apply for this vacancy. If you’re 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 contract terminated.
Equivalent qualifications won’t be accepted. If you’re unsure about your eligibility please contact NationalLawyerRecruitment@cps.gov.uk
You must be a fully qualified solicitor or barrister by 30 June 2025. If successful, we must receive your practising certificate as soon as possible. We will not be able to progress pre-employment checks until the practising certificate has been received, and a deadline for this may be set in line with business need. If you’re able to meet these requirements by this date, you’re eligible to apply.
To apply click HERE
