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Candidate Guide
Crown Prosecution Service
Application Guidance
Legal Trainee Scheme 2014
Recruitment Process
Version 1.0
Candidate Guide
Contents
Aim
The Offer
Recruitment Process
Eligibility Requirements
Security Check
Feedback
Application Questions
Recruitment Process Schedule
Candidates Declaring a Disability
Job Description – Pupil Barrister
Job Description – Trainee Solicitor
Person Specification
Application Tips for Candidates
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Candidate Guide
Aim of the Candidate Guide
For prospective candidates to fully understand what the CPS is offering in
addition to the various elements of the recruitment process and the selection
methods encountered when applying for the CPS National Legal Trainee
Scheme (LTS) 2014.
The Offer
The CPS is offering 20 legal trainee posts to start in November 2014.
Pupillage or training contracts are available, with posts offered on merit to the
top 20 candidates regardless of discipline sought.
Pupillage
Training Contract
1 year in duration
2 years in duration
Trainee posts will be based in the following locations: Yorkshire, North West,
North East, London, Wales (Welsh speaker), Thames & Chiltern, East
Midlands and Wessex.
Upon successful qualification Legal Trainees will be offered permanent posts,
graded as Crown Prosecutors, with the expectation that they will gain the
necessary skills and competence to apply for Senior Crown Prosecutor posts
through regular recruitment procedures. Location of Crown Prosecutor posts
will be national (England and Wales) and dependent upon business need.
Financial assistance will not be available for relocation or travel.
Legal Trainee - Starting Salary
National
London
£20,277 per annum
£21,304 + a Recruitment & Retention allowance of
£1000 or £3000 per annum dependent upon
London pay location.
Crown Prosecutor - Starting Salary
National
London
£27,722
£29,648 + a Recruitment & Retention allowance of
£1000 or £3000 per annum dependent upon
London pay location.
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Candidate Guide
Recruitment Process
The National Legal Trainee Scheme 2014 recruitment and selection process
will consist of the following stages:
On-line Application Form – including 3 application questions and CV
Eligibility Check
Situational Judgement Test (SJT) – administered online
Shortlist on Candidate Application Forms and CV
Legal Case Study
Verbal Numerical Test and CPS Values Self-Assessment–
administered online
7. Presentation Exercise & Interview
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
*CV to be uploaded via on-line application. See guidance here on what is
to be included in the CV
Candidates will need to meet the required standard at each selection stage in
order to be invited to undertake the next one.
Please click here to access the on-line application form
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for a place on the CPS National Legal Trainee
Scheme 2014, you must meet all of our eligibility criteria.
Candidates who apply and are later found not to meet the academic;
nationality or immigration criteria will be removed from the selection process.
Conditional offers of employment will be withdrawn where candidates do not
meet these requirements
Academic
Candidates must have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree. This does not
have to be in law. Candidates with a degree in a subject other than Law will
also have needed to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or
Common Professional Examination (CPE). Under no circumstances will any
exceptions to the academic criteria be considered.
Candidates are also required to have successfully completed, or be due to
complete, the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or Legal Practice
Course (LPC) to enable them to start with the CPS in November 2014.
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Candidate Guide
Nationality
The CPS National Legal Trainee Scheme is open to applicants who are:
• UK nationals
• European Economic Area (EEA) nationals
• Swiss nationals and, in some circumstances, Turkish nationals
• Commonwealth citizens
Our nationality rules are determined by the Civil Service nationality
requirements. Full details about these requirements and exceptions can be
found here.
The CPS prosecutes cases in courts throughout England and Wales. In
Wales/Cymru area the ability to speak Welsh will be an advantage.
Immigration Status
In addition to meeting the Civil Service nationality requirements, you must also
be legally entitled to work in the UK.
The UK Border Agency operates a points-based immigration policy which
applies to migrants from outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland
and Turkey - details are provided on the UK Border Agency’s Website
Applications will be accepted from those who meet the Civil Service nationality
requirements. Applicants will also be required to provide information about
their immigration status.
Document checks will be undertaken and any offer of employment will be
subject to confirmation that the applicant meets the nationality requirements
and is both lawfully entitled to reside and to work in the UK. In accordance
with the rules set down by the Home Office/UKBA, sponsorship for a work
permit will only be considered where no suitable settled worker is identified to
fill the available positions.
Security Check
Prior to applying for a vacancy please be aware that before a person can be
regarded as qualified for appointment, the CPS must be satisfied about their
character. All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment
checks, including a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, where they are
required to disclose any previous or spent convictions.
The CPS is exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders
Act 1974. Therefore, an offer of employment may not be made to anyone
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Candidate Guide
who has been cautioned, has been convicted, or has spent convictions, for an
offence listed on our Proscribed Offences List.
Prior to applying for these roles please contact us if you have any queries or
concerns about this.
Feedback
It is with regret that due to the large volume of applications anticipated we will
not be able to provide all unsuccessful candidates with feedback.
Candidates unsuccessful at interview and who would like feedback must email
their request one week after notification of results via:
legaltrainee.scheme2014@cps.gsi.gov.uk
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Candidate Guide
Application Questions
As part of the on-line application form candidates are required to provide written
responses to the 3 questions found below. Each response is limited to 500 words
and will be considered as part of the application shortlist stage.
Seeing the Big Picture - The CPS and You
Please give your reasons for seeking to become a lawyer and how they relate to your
application for a CPS pupillage/training contract?
You may wish to consider the following when writing your response
o
o
o
What is it about the work of the CPS that motivates you?
How do you foresee your role contributing to current CPS key priorities?
What are your future aspirations – what is your specific long-term career
goal?
Making Effective Decisions - Commitment to Self-Development
Describe a particular activity that you have undertaken outside of your academic
studies which you believe has made a valuable contribution to your development in
seeking to become a fully qualified lawyer.
You may wish to consider the following when writing your response
o
o
o
Why did you undertake the activity?
How did it aid your development?
When have you put into practice the skills or knowledge gained?
Collaborating and Partnering
Please provide an example of when you had a task to complete and you encourage
others to be involved one of whom had a competing or different agenda to your
own?
o
o
o
What approach did you adopt and why?
Did you encounter any resistance?
How did you ensure your objectives were met?
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Candidate Guide
What to include in your CV
In addition to answering the application questions we ask that you upload a
brief, tailored CV detailing information regarding any relevant activities (e.g.
mini pupillage) you’ve undertaken to help fulfil your career aspirations in
addition to your most recent employment. How have you benefited from these
experiences?
Your CV should be typed on a word document, and should be no longer than
two sides of A4. You should upload it at the relevant section of the application
form (see screenshot below).
When writing your CV, you can include all activities (not just legal based) that
you think are relevant to this post, and outline any transferable skills you have
obtained.
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Candidate Guide
Recruitment Process Schedule 2014
All dates are subject to change. Should candidates be unavailable for any of the selection
stages then please notify us of the reasons why as soon as possible.
Given the timeframes involved there is no guarantee we’ll be able to accommodate you
however we will do what we can to help wherever possible.
Date - 2014
Action
Location (if applicable)
12 May
Application process opens
N/A
30 May
Closing date for applications
N/A
6 June
N/A
10 June
Civil Service Situational Judgement Test
invitations emailed out
Deadline for completion of SJT
16 June
Application Shortlist commences
N/A
20 June
Shortlist concludes
N/A
23 June
Results of shortlist issued. Successful
candidates invited to case study
N/A
30 June
Case study assessment centre
London
18 July
Case study marking completed
N/A
Candidates notified of case study result.
N/A
22 July
Verbal Numerical & Values Test invitations
emailed out
N/A
28 July
Deadline for completion of Verbal Numerical
& Values Test
5 days after invite
29 July
Invitations to interview stage issued
5 days after invite
N/A
4 August
Presentation and Interviews
London
26 August
Results issued, posts offered, preemployment checks commence
Legal Trainees commence employment
N/A
1 November
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Candidate Guide
Candidates Declaring a Disability
The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to considering any reasonable
adjustments needed to ensure that disabled candidates can participate in the
selection process.
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a
physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and adverse long-term
effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. For more
information click here
If you are a disabled person as defined by the Equality Act 2010, then please
notify us as soon as possible of any reasonable adjustments required to
enable you to compete at each of the selection stages that make up the
recruitment process.
Any information given in support of your request will be treated in confidence
and withheld from those involved in selection based decisions.
Please contact us at legaltrainee.scheme2014@cps.gsi.gov.uk
We operate a fair and open recruitment process and all candidates must meet
the required minimum standard at each stage of the recruitment process in
order to be invited to interview. We will make reasonable adjustments where
necessary for candidates to enable them undertake each stage of the
recruitment process as outlined above.
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Candidate Guide
Job Description – Pupil Barrister
Role Purpose
To successfully complete the study & training required to become a practising barrister.
Casework Preparation
Review and preparation of cases, under supervision.
Correspondence with other CJS agencies, defence lawyers and counsel, under supervision.
Attend conferences with police and counsel and meetings with victims and witnesses, under
supervision.
Provide advice to police on charging, under supervision.
Legal Research
Research law and report back to supervisor and other lawyers.
Professional Responsibility
Maintain records of work and link to Bar Standards Board checklists.
Plan and review of pupillage programme with supervisor.
To arrange and attend professional courses and undertake all activities to ensure that the Bar
Standards Board training requirements are met.
Court Attendance
Shadow lawyers at Magistrates and Crown courts in order to gain experience of advocacy by
observation.
Assist Caseworkers at court by preparing cases, liaising with witnesses and supporting
counsel where required.
Court Presentation (2nd six months only)
Represent the CPS at court and present cases.
Key Contacts
Internal:
Supervisor
Staff in secondment offices
Training Principal
Prosecutors
Caseworkers
Administrative staff
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External:
Bar Standards Board
Police
Witnesses
Defence lawyers
Barristers & their clerks
CJS agencies including court staff, witness
services (including voluntary agencies) and
probation services
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Candidate Guide
Job Description – Trainee Solicitor
Role Purpose
To successfully complete the study & training required to become a fully qualified solicitor.
Casework Preparation
Review and preparation of cases, under supervision.
Correspondence with other CJS agencies, defence lawyers and counsel, under supervision.
Attend conferences with police and counsel and meetings with victims and witnesses, under
supervision.
Provide advice to police on charging, under supervision.
Legal Research
Research law and report back to supervisor and other lawyers.
Professional Responsibility
Maintain records of work & link to Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) skills standards.
Plan and review of training programme with supervisor.
To arrange and attend professional courses and other activities to ensure that the Solicitors
Regulation Authority’s (SRA) training requirements are met.
Arrangement and completion of secondments as required by the
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Court Attendance
Shadow lawyers at Magistrates and Crown courts in order to gain experience of advocacy by
observation.
Assist Caseworkers at court by preparing cases, liaising with witnesses and supporting
counsel where required.
Key Contacts
Internal:
Supervisor
Staff in secondment offices
Training Principal
Prosecutors
Caseworkers
Administrative staff
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External:
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Police
Witnesses
Defence lawyers
Barristers & their clerks
CJS agencies including court staff, witness
services (including voluntary agencies) and
probation services
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Candidate Guide
CPS Legal Trainee Person Specification
The CPS Values:
We will be independent and fair
We will prosecute independently, without bias and will seek to deliver justice in every case.
We will be honest and open
We will explain our decisions, set clear standards about the service the public can expect
from us and be honest if we make a mistake.
We will treat everyone with respect
We will treat everyone with respect.
We will behave professionally and strive for excellence
We will behave professionally and strive for excellence.
Competency, Criteria and Method of Assessment
Leading & Communicating - (Application form, On-line Tests, Case Study, Presentation
& Interview)




Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify
goals and activities and the links between these and Departmental strategy
Recognise, respect and reward the contribution and achievements of others
Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to
maximise understanding and impact
Promote the work of the Department and play an active part in supporting the Civil
Service values and culture
Making Effective Decisions - (Application form, On-line Tests, Case Study, Presentation
& Interview)




Identify a range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to
collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources
Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key
conclusions
Recognise scope of own authority for decision making and empower team members to
make decisions
Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making to help build
engagement and present robust recommendations
Changing & Improving - (Application form, On-line Tests, Case Study, Presentation &
Interview)

Be prepared to take managed risks, ensuring these are planned and their impact
assessed
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Candidate Guide
CPS Legal Trainee Person Specification continued


Actively encourage ideas from a wide range of sources and stakeholders and use these
to inform own thinking
Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and
supporting others to do the same
Seeing the Big Picture - (Application form & Interview)



Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s
work
Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to
Departmental priorities
Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own
work and business area
Collaboration and Partnering - (Application form, On-line Tests, Case Study,
Presentation & Interview)





Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business
outcomes
Actively seek input from a diverse range of people
Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support
for the shared goals of the organisation
Deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner
Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department
Specialist Skills and Knowledge - (Application form, Case Study, Presentation &
Interview)


Demonstrates a knowledge & understanding of the work of the CPS and its role in the
wider Criminal Justice System.
Able to apply knowledge of criminal law gained from study and experience.
Trainee Solicitor Qualifications - (Application form)


Academic: Law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) & Legal Practice Course
(LPC)
Professional: Student Membership of the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority
Pupil Barrister Qualifications - (Application form)


Academic: Law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) & Bar Professional Training
Course (BPTC)
Professional: Called to the Bar
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Candidate Guide
Practical Application Tips for Candidates
1. Draft responses to the 3 application questions in a Microsoft Word
document, ensuring that they each meet the word count requirement.
Once you are content with what you have drafted, copy and paste the
responses into the boxes provided (500 words max, submitted via 2
boxes per question, total for all 3 questions 1500 words) via the on-line
application form.
2. Upload a brief, tailored CV to provide information on previous
employment history, and include how it fits with your career aspirations.
Previous experiences may or may not be legal based.
3. Practice online ability tests are widely available on the internet and we
advise candidates to familiarise themselves with the style and format of
each test. Saville Consulting, the CPS test providers, have a range of
practice tests. For more information please see attached link:
https://www.savilleconsulting.com/products/aptitude-preparationguides-and-advice
4. We want to ensure that every candidate taking part in this competitive
selection process gives the best possible account of themselves.
Any problems encountered or queries that need addressing should be
directed via email to the CPS Resourcing Centre via:
legaltrainee.scheme2014@cps.gsi.gov.uk
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