Internship

The CCRC is the independent public body that finds and investigates suspected miscarriages of criminal justice. We deal with cases from magistrates’ courts, the crown court in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the court martial and Service Civilian Court.

We have the power to obtain material from public and private bodies, including information that would normally be confidential or subject to disclosure restrictions. We have the power to interview witnesses and instruct experts.

We are the only people who can send a case back to court for a second or subsequent appeal.

Further information on the CCRC may be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk.

We have not one, but two exciting opportunities to join the CCRC as an intern!

Can you help us to find the crucial new evidence or argument that changes things and enables us to send the case back for an appeal?

Interns provide support to our casework, legal and investigations teams. The role is challenging and varied. One day you might be carrying out legal research on a developing area of law, another you might be examining material and compiling a summary or chronology, assisting in an interview with an applicant or witness, or involved in our interactions with experts from a range of forensic and scientific disciplines. You will certainly be responsible for answering queries from potential applicants and for preparing our monthly legal update and you may be expected to carry out an independent research project to support the work of the CCRC.

In return, we offer you a unique and independent perspective on the criminal justice system and criminal cases.

You will have the opportunity to see a case from all sides; we have unique legal powers to obtain material from the police, the prosecution, the courts and the defence, as well as records from prisons, the NHS, and local authorities.

You will be based at home, attending our Birmingham office only when necessary. We will provide the latest IT to enable you to stay connected to and learn from your fellow interns and from the diverse experience of all our staff who have backgrounds in law, policing, forensic science, trading standards, journalism, and regulatory work.

Person specification

Experience:

• Recently completed (or about to complete) the bar course or legal practice course;
• a good understanding of the legal framework of the CCRC and the legal restrictions and powers granted to it;
• strong oral and written communication skills, reflecting the need to communicate effectively with applicants and potential applicants, their representatives, and other stakeholders;
• ability to manage a challenging portfolio of work, including varied tasks with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities;
• competency in the use of up-to-date IT equipment and packages;
• ability to operate effectively in a remote working environment;
• commitment to the development of your own knowledge and skills; and
• the ability to act on your own initiative within the boundaries of the CCRC’s case procedures and agreed tasks.

Selection criteria:

• Intellectual ability - demonstrated by academic performance, past work, activities, and other experience.
• Motivation to become a solicitor or a barrister - including steps taken to acquire the personal skills required of a solicitor or a barrister, and a demonstration of the will to succeed.
• Communication skills - both in oral and written form.
• Personal qualities - including self-reliance, independence, integrity, reliability, and humanity.

The CCRC is committed to equality and to being an inclusive organisation.

We welcome people who will bring diversity of thought and provide constructive challenge. We encourage applications from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority candidates. We are looking for people with ability, commitment, and ambition to achieve their potential and develop a career as a solicitor or a barrister. You will recently have completed (or be about to complete) the bar course or legal practice course; have strong communication skills; and have a passion for criminal law and fairness.

If this sounds like you and the opportunity that you are looking for to launch your career, we look forward to receiving your application.

Interview date: TBC - It will be hosted remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Please view the full advert on our recruitment site with further information on how to apply.