CPS Thames & Chiltern- Level 3 CPS Panel Advocate Lawyer Secondment - Crown Prosecutor

Job content

Subject to the successful candidate satisfying the “general qualification” provision within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Service Act 1990, the post is designated by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a Crown Prosecutor under the terms of section 1 (3) of the prosecution of Offences Act (1985).

The successful candidate will be competent to advise the investigation (except Statutory pre-charge advice), commence proceedings in cases that could be charged by the police in accordance with the latest edition of the Director’s Guidance on Charging and discontinue cases charged by the police.

They could undertake case preparation for prosecution on volume crime in the magistrates’ court and Crown Court and casework commensurate with that expected of a level 3 advocate.

Responsibilities

**The successful applicant MUST be a member of the current CPS Advocate Panel (2021) at minimum level 3**

Level 3 Panel Members Are Expected To Undertake

• Must be able to demonstrate expert up to date legal knowledge relevant to such prosecutions and demonstrate appropriate standards of oral and written advocacy (including ability to deal with complicating factors such as special measures, challenging complex expert evidence, significant disclosure/PII issues, and complex/sensitive points of evidence or law or fact).
• Demonstrate expert up to date legal knowledge relevant to Level 1,2 and 3 prosecutions and appropriate standards of oral and written advocacy.
• Dealing with multi handed cases.
• The exercise of consistently sound judgement and case management strategies
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of law and practice and up-to-date knowledge of law relevant to prosecutions at this level
• Up to date knowledge of the law relevant to prosecutions at this level, including criminal procedural rules and evidential rules
• Draft coherent skeleton arguments even in complex cases or addressing complex law, evidence or procedure
• Clear and succinct relevant written submissions demonstrating expertise
• In depth understanding of the disclosure regime and principles of Public Interest Immunity
• Ability to handle sensitive matters in relation to investigation techniques
• Understands disclosure requirements even in the context of complex investigations and evidential situations.
• IT literacy and the capability to work effectively in the digital CJS environment.
• Obtaining and using evidence from abroad, jurisdictional issues, human rights, restraint and confiscation.
• Sufficient knowledge of confiscation and POCA 2002 to be able to handle confiscation as it may arise in any of the cases which fall within their competency.
  

Qualifications

The successful applicant must be a qualified practising barrister or solicitor on the CPS Advocate Panel at a minimum of level 3, and must hold a valid Dual Practising Certificate for England and Wales before commencement of employment. This can be applied for by the individual upon offer of employment.

In order for a barrister with a current practising certificate to amend their status to dual-capacity, they would need to log into "MyBar" via the BSB site and complete a ‘Change my Practising Status’ application. This can be found in the ‘My Practising Details’ section.

According to the BSB applications take 3-4 working days to process.

Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in law, or else must have completed one of the following conversion courses:

• Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
• Common Professional Examination (CPE)
  

In addition, candidates must be qualified in either the Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and have completed 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).

Memberships

The successful applicant must have a valid dual practising certificate for England and Wales or be eligible to obtain a valid practising certificate issued from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board.

Nationality Requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals.

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-

Working For The Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants, please see here: https://bit.ly/31Ejuli

If you are unsure about your eligibility please contact the CPS Strategic Resourcing Team at Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk.

If you apply and are found not to meet the requirements as set out above; any offer of appointment will be withdrawn, or contract terminated.