Skip to main content
National Careers Service

Beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Crown prosecutor

Crown prosecutor

Alternative titles for this job include Reviewing lawyer

Crown prosecutors decide if there is enough evidence to take cases to court.

Average salary (a year)

£44,000 Starter

to

£71,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • working towards the role
  • applying directly

Work

You may be able to start work as a paralegal or casework assistant within the Crown Prosecution Service, then apply for a place on a solicitor apprenticeship scheme. You'll need the support of your employer to do this.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to be a crown prosecutor, if you have:

  • a minimum of a lower second class (2:2) degree
  • trained as a solicitor or barrister
  • completed your Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course
  • finished a 2-year training contract or a 12-month pupillage

More Information

Career tips

The Crown Prosecution Service has case studies of people taking about what it's like to work in the service, from trainees to senior staff.

Further information

You can find more information about training and working as a crown prosecutor through:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a crown prosecutor, you could:

  • examine police evidence and decide if it's strong enough to take a case to court
  • determine whether a case is in the public interest to prosecute
  • explain decisions to police, lawyers, victims and other agencies
  • advise investigating teams on which charges are most appropriate
  • prepare the case for the prosecution at hearings and trial
  • question witnesses and defendants in court
  • present evidence to magistrates, judges and juries
  • help to support and train new prosecutors

Working environment

You could work in an office or in a court.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could become a senior crown prosecutor and specialise in particular types of criminal case, for example counter-terrorism.

You might also become crown advocate, senior crown advocate and principal crown prosecutor, managing a team of prosecutors.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a crown prosecutor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (evening)

  • Provider: CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Bristol

Law

  • Provider: LEIGH STATIONERS' ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.