Skip to main content

This job has expired

Specialist Prosecutor - Proceeds Of Crime x 2

Employer
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Location
Nationwide
Salary
£54,702 to £70,240
Closing date
27 Nov 2020

View more

Practice area
Other, Crime
Contract type
Permanent
Hours
Full time
PQE
3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years+
Position
Barrister, Solicitor
Sector
Public sector/Charities

Job Details

 

Location

Please note that one role will be based in London and one role will be based in Birmingham, there is a regional focus to each role and the Area require one Specialist Prosecutor in each location. About the job Summary Candidates must have the below essential experience;

In-depth knowledge of the law relating to the restraint and confiscation of assets, including enforcement of confiscation orders.

A thorough and up to date knowledge of mutual legal assistance relating to the preservation of assets and the enforcement of confiscation orders in respect of both incoming and outgoing requests.

A good working knowledge of criminal law and the law relating to disclosure and the handling of sensitive information.

Candidates must have the below essential abilities;

Respected and proven legal expertise, with depth and breadth of exposure to complex casework.

Establishes credibility and earns respect by depth of specialist knowledge.

Contributes to the personal development of members of staff.

Visible to staff and stakeholders confidently engaging at all levels to build trust and commitment to goals.

Candidates must also have the below essential technical skills;

The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister, possessing a law degree or Common Professional Examination, having completed a Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Course and the relevant pupillage.

The post-holder must have a good working knowledge of the law relating to the areas set out under essential experience in this document.

For further information on how to apply, please see the Candidate Pack at the bottom of this page.

Please note excess fares will not apply. Job description CPS Proceeds of Crime (CPS POC) is at the forefront of the fight against Economic Crime, ensuring that criminal assets are restrained, confiscated and enforced; so that criminals do not benefit from their ill-gotten gains. We are also working with law enforcement colleagues to use new civil recovery powers to target unexplained wealth.

We work with foreign governments to repatriate funds to the UK, as well as restraining and returning money abroad where it is derived from criminal activity overseas. CPS POC also handles all civil litigation in respect of the CPS.

Prosecutors within CPS POC are responsible for providing early advice, reviewing cases and taking decisions relating to all aspects of asset recovery case work. CPS POC handles all restraints, complex Area confiscation work, and the enforcement of all confiscation orders obtained by the CPS. CPS POC also handles incoming requests from overseas countries for restraint and enforcement assistance.

The purpose of this role is to advise on and prepare specialist cases for CPS POC, with a focus on asset recovery investigations and prosecutions, conducted by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The post holder will be based at HMRC premises, and will be required to travel to HMRC offices, and on occasion abroad. Applicants should pay particular attention to the “Technical Knowledge” accountability required for the post.

Subject to the postholder 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).

Responsibilities Analyse evidence and review files engaging with HMRC, the police and other agencies, including investigators and prosecutors from foreign jurisdictions. Apply specific legislation, and procedures and processes, which may include European Arrest Warrant, Mutual Legal Assistance and extradition, to provide accurate advice and make sound case decisions.

Provide advice to HMRC, the police and other investigatory bodies, as well as to CPS Areas and Divisions, at the commencement of operations, pre-charge and post arrest, often involving large quantities of material, taking on board issues regarding evidential requirements, admissibility of evidence, disclosure, unused material, custody time limits, etc.

To deal effectively and persuasively with a wide range of people, both internally and externally, as part of a multi-skilled team or individually in order to ensure the effective and successful prosecution of cases. Engage with all relevant agencies for debriefings in order to learn lessons, improve practice and share findings from debriefings with colleagues to improve the quality of the Unit’s casework and overall performance.

To demonstrate a high level of oral and written communication skills in all matters relating to the prosecution of serious, complex or sensitive cases; in particular the ability to distil and explain legal complexities and decisions in non-legal language. This will include drafting complex documentation as the need arises.

For all cases, especially Very High Cost Cases (VHCC), to prepare case plans, allocate counsel hours, monitor counsel hours against plan. Provide updates to line manager and take necessary remedial action to maintain costs within budget and ensure that cases are progressed to agreed timescales.

Qualifications;

Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.

Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law.

Professional: 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).

OR

If you have qualified through CILEx could you please contact us in order 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.

Please note the qualification as stated is required for this role and equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.

If you are unsure about your eligibility please contact Cara.Thomas@cps.gov.uk

Memberships

The successful applicant must have a valid 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.

If CILEx qualified, must hold a ‘general qualification’ within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Technical skills

    We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister, possessing a law degree or Common Professional Examination, having completed a Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Course and the relevant pupillage.
  • The post holder must have a good working knowledge of the law relating to the areas set out under essential experience in this document.
  • Benefits Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months and may be offered another post, should any further vacancies for a Specialist Prosecutor arise in CPS Proceeds of Crime during this period.

    CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other CPS Proceeds of Crime roles, at the same grade, requiring similar knowledge and experience.

    This is a full time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. Things you need to know Security Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. The recruitment process will consist of an online application, assessment and interview. Assessments will be held on 9th December 2020 and interviews will be held on 17th December 2020.

    Please note, candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to complete an assessment. Candidates must be successful at the assessment stage in order to be invited to an interview.

    You should keep these dates free or notify us if you are not available. We will make every effort to accommodate you in your preference for dates; however we cannot guarantee that they will be met.

    Due to the current Covid-19 situation, your interview may also be conducted via Video/Telephone. Where possible interviews will be conducted face to face, however until restrictions are lifted we will be utilising video technology in order to allow interviews to continue. If your interview will be taking place via video, a member of our recruitment team will be in touch with further guidance. If you have any queries about this, please contact the CPS Recruitment Team at Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk

    The successful applicant will be required to secure DBS & SC clearance; to speed up this process; you should bring 3 forms of ID with you on the day of interview. Data gathered from unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed in accordance with our Data Retention Policy.

    If successful in obtaining an interview you will be asked to complete the Character Enquiry Form, Nationality and Immigration Questionnaire and National Security Vetting Form.

    (If you are an internal member of staff, you will not be required to undergo this DBS check as you will already hold this clearance)

    Personal Statement (using the text box provided online)

    You will also be asked to complete a personal statement of no more than 1250 words setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, match the requirements as detailed in the Candidate Pack. You will also need to address the core behaviours for this role, detailed in the Behaviours Section of the Candidate Pack, which are;

    1. Making Effective Decisions
    2. Managing a Quality Service
    3. Communicating and Influencing
    4. Delivering at Pace

    Further to this; you will also need to make reference to the essential experience, abilities and skills being tested at application stage. Please refer to the candidate pack for more information on which essential experiences, abilities and skills are being tested at application stage.

    In addition you will need to demonstrate the CPS or Civil Service Values.

    CV Section (using the text boxes provided online)

    You will not be required to upload your CV however, when submitting your application there is a ‘CV section.’ You will be required to provide information regarding your skills, employment history and qualification details.

    Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the specified application information in the requested format

    Change to Normal Operating Hours

    With effect from 1 April 2019 CPS employee Normal Operating Hours are 7am to 7pm. An employee’s actual working hours will be agreed with their local management subject to specific business requirements. All employees may be required to work any time between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday subject to reasonable notice and consideration of personal circumstances.

    Contracted Weekly Working Hours

    Full time employees will be contracted to work 37 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks.

    Overtime

    If overtime is necessary, employees will be invited to volunteer. It is a condition of contract that you are available to work overtime for one weekend in every four, if there are insufficient volunteers, you will be required to work overtime if requested to do so by your line manager.

    Other

    Customer facing roles in the CPS require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement this will be tested as part of the selection process.

    From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details – name, National Insurance Number and date of birth - will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

    The Strategic Resourcing team in the CPS will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the IFD.

    Feedback will not be provided until the vacancy is complete.

    If you are dissatisfied with the recruitment process and wish to make a complaint, please contact Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk with your concerns.

    If you remain dissatisfied and wish to make a further complaint, please click on the following link to the Civil Service Commissioners complaints page https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/

    Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles can be found here –
    https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/

    Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

    Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Nationality requirements Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

    We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Apply and further information Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

    Contact point for applicants:
    Name: Cara Thomas
    Email: Cara.Thomas@cps.gov.uk
    Telephone: 0151 213 5099
    Recruitment team: Email: strategic.resourcing@cps.gov.uk

Company

At the Crown Prosecution Service we’re responsible for delivering justice through the independent and effective prosecution of crime. As the principal prosecuting authority across England and Wales the nature and diversity of cases we advise on and prosecute means our work is often challenging and complex.

Our service employs almost 7,000 individuals who think objectively, act professionally, show the upmost respect for others and continually strive for excellence.

We offer you the opportunity to have a very real impact on society, the freedom to use your judgement and the chance to experience both challenging and varied work.

All in a supportive environment that is invested in seeing you make the most of your life inside work and out.

Company info
Mini-site
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert