Candidate Guide. Legal Trainee Scheme 2016 Application Guidance

Transcription

1 Legal Trainee Scheme 2016 Application Guidance 1

2 Contents 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 2

3 The Offer The CPS is offering legal trainee posts to start in November Pupillage or Period of Recognised Training (PRT) are available, with posts offered in order of merit to the top performing candidates regardless of discipline sought. Please note the closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 12 May Pupillage PRT (formally known as a training contract) 1 year in duration 2 years in duration Up to 25 x Legal Trainee posts are available on a national basis. 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), dependent upon business need and may differ from the training location. Financial assistance will not be available for relocation or travel. Legal Trainee - Starting Salary National London 23,276 per annum 24,296 per annum + 3,000 recruitment and retention allowance Crown Prosecutor - Starting Salary National London 31,992 per annum 33,704 per annum + Recruitment & Retention allowance of 1000 or 3000 per annum dependent upon London pay location. ***Please note that if successful candidates should leave the CPS of their own accord during the course of their training or within two years of completing the training, they will be required to repay the external training costs, on a sliding scale. Further details will be provided to those who are successful in obtaining a legal trainee post.*** 3

4 Recruitment Process The National Legal Trainee Scheme 2016 recruitment and selection process will consist of the following stages: 1. Application Form 2. Online Video Interview 3. Legal Case Study 4. Interview & Presentation Exercise, Verbal / Numerical Ability Test and CPS Values Self-Assessment Candidates will need to meet the required standard at each selection stage in order to be invited to undertake the next one. 1. Shortlist based on application form and online video interview 2. Assessment consisting of completion of written legal case study 3. Interview & Presentation consisting of a competency-based interview and the requirement to prepare and deliver a short presentation on a legal related theme. There will also be the need for candidates to complete a combined verbal / numerical test and a CPS Values Self-Assessment. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to apply for a place on the CPS National Legal Trainee Scheme 2016, 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 2:2 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 4

5 Common Professional Examination (CPE). 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

6 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 Checks 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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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 Therefore, an offer of employment may not be made to anyone 6

7 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 their request with 5 working days following notification of results via: legaltrainee.scheme2016@cps.gsi.gov.uk 7

8 Application Questions As part of the on-line application form candidates are required to provide written responses to the 3 x questions found below. Each response is limited to 250 words and will be considered as part of the shortlist stage. Question 1 Motivated by CPS work What career aspirations do you have beyond qualification as a lawyer? What is it about the particular career aspirations identified that appeal to you and why? Question 2 Delivering at Pace Describe a demanding situation that required you to manage multiple tasks at the same time. Why was it demanding? How did you approach it? What was the result of your actions? Question 3 Making Effective Decisions Please provide details of a situation where you ve provided an in-depth analysis to inform a significant decision. What type of information was included as part of the analysis? How did you approach the task? What was the significance of the decision? Who made the decision? 8

9 What to include in your CV In addition to answering the application questions we ask that you upload brief, tailored CV detailing information regarding any relevant activities (e.g. mini pupillage) you ve undertaken to help fulfill your career aspirations in addition to your most recent examples of employment. Your CV should be typed on a word document, and should be no longer than two sides of A4. You should upload it via the relevant section of the online application form. When writing your CV, you can include all activities (not just legal based) that you think are relevant to the opportunity available, and emphasise any transferable skills you ve obtained. 9

10 Recruitment Process Schedule 2016 We will endeavour to keep to the advertised schedule however all dates are subject to change. Should you be unavailable for any of the selection stages then please notify us 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 be flexible wherever possible. Date Action 18 April Application process OPENS 12 May CLOSING date for applications 20 May Video Interview Submission Window OPENS 27 May Video Interview Submission Window CLOSES 5 July to 11 July Legal Case Study Assessment Centre 11 August to 1 September Interviews / Presentations 7 September Notification of Final Results 8 September Pre-employment Checks commence 7 November Legal Trainees commence pupillage / training contract Contact the CPS Resourcing team with any queries you may have via the following; Legaltrainee.scheme2016@cps.gsi.gov.uk Follow us via the following methods for regular updates and reminders on the recruitment process; CPS Linkedin Company Page 10

11 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.scheme2016@cps.gsi.gov.uk We operate a fair and open recruitment process with all candidates needing to meet the required minimum standard at each stage of the recruitment process in order to progress. 11

12 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 Principal Prosecutors Caseworkers Administrative staff External: Bar Standards Board Police Training Witnesses Defence lawyers Barristers & their clerks CJS agencies including court staff, witness services (including voluntary agencies) and probation services 12

13 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 Caseworkers Administrative staff External: Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Police Witnesses Prosecutors Defence lawyers Barristers & their clerks CJS agencies including court staff, witness services (including voluntary agencies) and probation services 13

14 Person Specification - Legal Trainee (pupil barrister & trainee solicitor) Motivated by work of the CPS - (Application form, Video Interview, Legal Case Study, CPS Values Self- Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Have a demonstrable interest in law, in particular the area of criminal prosecution and be motivated by public service. Demonstrates a knowledge & understanding of the work of the CPS and its role in the wider Criminal Justice System. A strong focus on continuous learning with the ability to apply knowledge of criminal law gained from study and experience. Leading & Communicating - (Application form, Video Interview, Legal Case Study, CPS Values Self- Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Display enthusiasm around goals and activities adopting a positive approach when interacting with others Listen to, understand, respect and accept the value of different views, ideas and ways of working Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and with sensitivity and respect for others Confidently handle challenging conversations or interviews Making Effective Decisions - (Legal Case Study, Video Interview, CPS Values Self-Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Demonstrate accountability and make unbiased decisions Examine complex information and obtain further information to make accurate decisions Speak with the relevant people in order to obtain the most accurate information and get advice when unsure of how to proceed Provide advice and feedback to support others to make accurate decisions Explain clearly, verbally and in writing, how a decision has been reached Seeing the Big Picture - (Legal Case Study, Video Interview, CPS Values Self-Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Keep up to date with a broad set of issues relating to the work of the Crown Prosecution Service Focus on the overall goal and intent of what they are trying to achieve, not just the task Take an active interest in expanding their knowledge of areas related to own role 14

15 CPS Legal Trainee Person Specification continued Collaboration and Partnering - (Legal Case Study, CPS Values Self- Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Proactively seek information, resources and support from others outside own immediate team in order to help achieve results Take responsibility for creating a working environment that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion Readily identify opportunities to share knowledge, information and learning and make progress by working with colleagues Delivering at Pace (Application form, Legal Case Study, CPS Values Self-Assessment, Presentation & Interview) Take ownership of problems in their own area of responsibility Remain positive and focused on achieving outcomes despite setbacks Set and achieve challenging goals and monitor quality Specialist Skills and Knowledge - (Video Interview, Legal 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 15

16 Practical Recruitment Tips for Candidates 1. Draft responses to the 3 x 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 (250 words max) 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. Guidance for candidates on how to prepare for a video interview can be found here - Video-Interview 4. 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: 5. We want to ensure that every candidate taking part in this competitive selection process gives the best possible account of themselves. Should you encounter any problems or if you ve queries that need addressing please direct them via to the CPS Resourcing Team via: legaltrainee.scheme2016@cps.gsi.gov.uk 16