Legal Trainee Scheme – Barrister Pathway

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are delighted to share with you that the next CPS Legal Trainee Scheme (LTS) will be launching on Wednesday 5^th January 2022. 

At the CPS, we are 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 emotionally challenging and complex. As such we employ over 6,000 individuals who think objectively, act professionally, show the upmost respect for others and continually strive for excellence.

The Legal Trainee Scheme, open for applications from Wednesday 5^th January – Monday 31^st January, will offer positions to those with an interest in criminal law, and seeking to become fully qualified barristers or solicitors. Pupillage is one year in duration whilst the Period of Recognised Training takes two years to complete.

As a trainee barrister for the CPS, you will have a variety of key responsibilities you will undertake, with supervision. These include representing the CPS at court and presenting cases; corresponding with other criminal justice system agencies, defence lawyers and counsel; providing advice to police on charging; and arranging and attending professional courses and undertaking activities to ensure that the Bar Counsel training requirements are met.

Upon successful qualification, legal trainees will be offered permanent posts as Crown Prosecutors, where they will initially be based in a Magistrates Court Unit with the expectation that they will then gain the necessary skills and competence to apply for Senior Crown Prosecutor posts and beyond. This exciting pathway will be open across England and Wales, with a bi-lingual Welsh pathway also available.

Delivering justice is a complex pursuit with work that is sometimes emotionally challenging, which is why we offer a range of benefits including flexible working, civil service pension scheme, access to employee savings including high street retailer offers and discounts and 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

If you are interested in kickstarting your career in criminal law, apply today.