Careers Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 1

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1 Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 1

2 Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 2 The criminal justice system is made up of a number of agencies. They include the following, listed with contact details which may be useful if you are seeking any further information. The Home Office: Public Enquiry Service, Tel: Web site: The Lord Chancellor s Department: Tel: Web site: Court Service: Tel: Web site: Criminal Justice Joint Planning Unit Web site: Police Services of the UK The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO): Tel: info@acpo.police.uk National Office of Victim Support: Tel: Youth Justice Web site: National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders: Tel: The CPS Public Enquiry Point can provide general information on the CPS and advice on who to contact. The unit can t give legal advice but may be able to offer you practical information. CPS Public Enquiry Point: Tel: Phone calls may be recorded address for enquiries and comments: enquiries@cps.gsi.gov.uk complaints can be sent to: complaints@cps.gsi.gov.uk Our Communications Branch offers a range of free publications about the CPS. Please contact your local CPS Area Office or contact: CPS Communications Branch: Tel: Ludgate Hill, London. EC4M 7EX. CPS web site: For further information about the CPS that is free, including other leaflets in this series, please contact your local CPS Area office. in the Crown Prosecution Service

3 Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 4 this leaflet is about careers in the Crown Prosecution Service Working for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offers an exciting and challenging career contents Background 1 Our role 1 Our structure 2 Prosecutor Posts 3 Caseworker Posts 4 Equal Opportunities 4 Administrative Posts 5 Administrative posts Other staff work in administrative functions such as finance, information technology, training, personnel and management support. Administrators are recruited from all kinds of backgrounds, with a variety of experience and ability. excellent organisational skills ability to communicate clearly and confidently ability to work well under pressure and be able to demonstrate initiative, drive and determination within a team environment Training and development We actively encourage our staff to undergo training and professional development. Training is provided by your office or headquarters or through courses held externally. The wide range of courses for lawyers are accredited by the Law Society. In addition, CPS staff may take advantage of programmes and courses run by the Civil Service Training College. As with other Government departments, the CPS is committed to the Investors in People programme. Crown Copyright March 2002 Printed by Blackburns of Bolton: (01204) for CPS Publicity: Printed on recycled paper. Benefits of working for the CPS 5 Training and development 5 Recruitment enquiries 5 Recruitment enquiries For recruitment enquiries, please contact your nearest CPS Service Centre: Eastern Region, Chelmsford East Midlands, Nottingham London Midlands, Birmingham North East, Newcastle North West, Liverpool South East, Guildford South West, Exeter Wales, Cardiff Yorkshire, Wakefield For recruitment enquiries for CPS Headquarters (London and York), please contact

4 Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 6 Benefits of working for the CPS: opportunities to gain experience from different functions or to specialise in a particular area opportunities for flexible working, including flexitime, part-time working, job-sharing, and career breaks 22/25 days annual leave with the potential to rise to 30 days. In addition there are 10.5 public holidays and privilege days support with childcare through the departmental childcare scheme The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. Caseworker posts The role of the caseworker is to undertake casework functions by assisting prosecutors in case management through processing and initial preparation of casework. The duties include casework preparation, personal casework management, attendance at court, post court administration, assessment of professional fees and liaison with witnesses and other organisations within the criminal justice system. sound judgement and an ability to reach balanced and unbiased views, and an ability to analyse problems and produce practical workable solutions ability to work as part of a team, often under pressure experience of, or potential for, managing staff to prioritise work and manage own time effectively, and an ability to balance conflicting priorities where necessary. Equal Opportunities at the CPS In line with the CPS Equal Opportunities Policy Statement we select the best people for the job regardless of sex, colour, race, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, marital status, working pattern, sexual orientation, and gender. We operate a complaints procedure for those who feel they have been unfairly treated as a result of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying. 4 Background In 1981, the report of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure made a number of recommendations which led in 1986 to the creation of a new national Government department, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Principal objectives in the creation of this service were to separate the investigation and the prosecution process and to provide a greater degree of consistency in prosecution practice throughout England and Wales. The CPS is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who is under the superintendence of the Attorney General. Our role is to take forward the prosecution of all cases commenced by the police (except for minor specified offences) both in the magistrates courts and the Crown Court ranging from driving without due care and attention to murder. Overall, cases involving some 1.4 million defendants are handled by us each year. About 100,000 of these cases are heard in the Crown Court. We also deal with appeals arising from these cases in the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. There are now over 7,100 total staff in the Service, including some 2,365 lawyers and 4,779 caseworkers and administration staff. Our role Our main role is the prosecution of alleged criminal offenders in England and Wales. This role includes four main functions: Advising the police on cases for possible prosecution and the appropriate charge Reviewing cases submitted by the police Preparing cases for the magistrates court and the Crown Court Advocacy at court and where appropriate, the instruction of counsel in the Crown Court and higher courts. A fifth vital function is working effectively with others to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system overall. 1

5 Lft2002 updated 7/2/03 9:56 am Page 8 Our structure There are currently 42 CPS Areas, each one corresponding with a Police Force (CPS London covers the whole of London). Each Area is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). 1 Avon & Somerset 2 Bedfordshire 3 Cambridgeshire 4 Cheshire 5 London (City) 6 Cleveland 7 Cumbria 8 Derbyshire 9 Devon & Cornwall 10 Dorset 11 Durham 12 Dyfed-Powys 13 Essex 14 Gloucestershire 15 Greater Manchester 16 Gwent 17 Hampshire 18 Hertfordshire 19 Humberside 20 Kent 21 Lancashire 22 Leicestershire 23 Lincolnshire 24 Merseyside 25 London (Met.) 26 Norfolk 27 Northamptonshire 28 Northumbria 29 North Wales 30 North Yorkshire 31 Nottinghamshire 32 South Wales 33 South Yorkshire 34 Staffordshire 35 Suffolk 36 Surrey 37 Sussex 38 Thames Valley 39 Warwickshire 40 West Mercia 41 West Midlands 42 West Yorkshire 43 Wiltshire The CCPs work closely with their Area Business Managers (ABM) like Alex, below who are responsible for the administrative and management services within the Area. Each Area oversees a network of local CPS offices which are staffed by lawyers, caseworkers and administrative personnel. 6 Higher Court Advocate. Prosecutor Posts Prosecutors are responsible for reviewing and, where appropriate, prosecuting criminal cases following investigation by the police. They also advise the police on matters relating to criminal cases. In each case reviewed the prosecutor will consider whether there is sufficient evidence and, if so, whether the public interest requires a prosecution. A Higher Court Advocate (HCA) is a CPS lawyer with Higher Rights qualifications able to prosecute at Crown Court. Qualifications To apply for a post as a lawyer you must be a solicitor admitted in England and Wales with a full current practising certificate, or a barrister called to the English Bar who has completed pupillage. Excellent skills in advocacy and personal organisation, together with the ability to work effectively within a team. Sound judgement and the capacity to work accurately under pressure are essential. 2 3

RACIST AND RELIGIOUS INCIDENT MONITORING ANNUAL REPORT 2006 2007

RACIST AND RELIGIOUS INCIDENT MONITORING ANNUAL REPORT 26 27 Management Information Branch December 27 LIST OF CONTENTS Racist Incident Monitoring Scheme Page No. Introduction 2 Part 1: Racist Incidents