What is the Crown Prosecution Service?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is a government department responsible for the prosecution of all but about 20% of criminal cases in magistrates and crown courts. The CPS reviews the criminal cases instituted by the police to ensure that there is sufficient evidence to proceed and that it is in the public interest to do so. At the head of the CPS is the Director of Public Prosecutions who is politically independent, but accountable through the Attorney General to Parliament. The post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was created in 1880 after years of pressure from prominent figures dissatisfied with the existing system under which criminal cases were only brought to court by private citizens employing their own lawyers. The first DPP, Sir John Maule, had a limited role in conducting cases and was primarily concerned with advising the newly formed police forces only on the more difficult or serious cases. Then the police set up their own teams of in-house prosecuting lawyers. This combined power of investigation, collation and prosecution increasingly became seen as unfair and inappropriate, and three Royal Commissions during this century (1929, 1962 and 1985) eventually led to the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service in 1986. The CPS now employs more than 3,000 staff (some 2,000 of whom are legally qualified) and has about 100 branch offices nationwide.

What is the role of the CPS lawyer?
All prosecution work undertaken by the CPS is performed by solicitors or barristers known as crown prosecutors. Teams of lawyers, with the help of administrative staff, ensure that all relevant facts and evidence to support cases are available for presentation by CPS lawyers to magistrates courts. More serious cases are prosecuted in the crown court by barristers instructed by CPS staff. Even though every case is unique, there are general principles that apply in all cases, and crown prosecutors must make their decisions without any prejudice. It is their duty to ensure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence and that all relevant facts are given to the court.

Training at the CPS
The CPS recruits legal trainees who have already completed the LPC or BVC to start immediately. If you have an interest in criminal law, and have the potential to be a good advocate, then the CPS may be an excellent alternative to private practice. Assisting CPS lawyers during training you are likely to be frequently in court, and will spend some time preparing files for all offences. Trainee solicitors are offered a two-year contract that will cover one topic required by the Law Society - criminal litigation. Periods of between six and eight months are spent in other government departments, local authorities, private practice or industry in order to gain the experience required by the Law Society.

Barrister pupils can serve the entire 12 months within the CPS where they are under the supervision of an experienced pupil supervisor. It is recommended that pupils spend a month in chambers during the first six but this practice varies between offices.

No sponsorship for LPC, BVC or CPE is available through the CPS for external applicants. Applications for Training Contracts must be made on official application forms during recruitment campaigns (which seem to vary). You should contact the CPS Training Principal for further information.

Why join the CPS?
The CPS offers an interesting and rewarding career option to those who wish to work within the criminal justice system in the UK. With a considerable emphasis on advocacy, the workload is quite different to that of private practice. With branch offices all over the UK, the CPS offers the usual benefits of employment with a large organisation. The CPS offers a good training, a commitment to equal opportunities, options for part-time work, job sharing and career breaks. CPS posts are permanent and pensionable.

Career paths
On completion of successful training the CPS trainee will be eligible to apply for the post of crown prosecutor. Options to move into private practice, industry or other institutions (governmental or otherwise) are always open.

Earnings
Trainees: currently £15,750 (London £17,024)
Crown prosecutor: £21,506 - £25,345 (London £22,587 - £26,538)
Senior crown prosecutor: £25,345 - £41,631 (London £26,538 - £46,854)
Principal crown prosecutor: £34,941 - £45,166 (London £36,498 - £49,573)

How to apply

Please see the Crown Prosecution Service page.