Crown prosecutor

You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in order to get into this career. You can train for these roles through the Crown Prosecution Service Legal Trainee Scheme. You'll need at least a lower second class degree for this.

You can apply for this job if you've trained as a solicitor or barrister and have completed your Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and a 2-year training contract or a 12-month pupillage.

Further information

You can find out more about being a crown prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service.

You'll need:

• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to read English
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks

In this role you could be:

• checking facts and documents for each case
• advising which charges are suitable
• explaining decisions to defence lawyers, witnesses, the police and other agencies
• deciding if there's enough evidence to convict, and if it's reliable and can be used in court
• preparing the case for the prosecution
• making sure relevant evidence is put before the court
• presenting the case to a panel of magistrates or judges, or to a judge and jury, depending on the court
• questioning the defendant and witnesses
• summing up the case for the prosecution

You'll also be:

• training other prosecutors and caseworkers
• representing the CPS at casework conferences

You could work in an office or in a court.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.