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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is delighted to offer the opportunity to apply for a role as a Senior Crown Prosecutor within Proceeds of Crime Division.
CPS POCD conduct all CPS restraint casework, confiscation proceedings, and enforcement of orders where they can add their expertise, as well as handling incoming international asset recovery requests. POCD provides a key resource across law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System in tackling the proceeds of crime.
As a Senior Crown Prosecutor (SCP) within POCD, you will provide justice to victims and you will have the freedom to use your judgement and have a very real impact on society. Your work will be both challenging and varied in nature which may involve tasks such as advising on and applying for restraint of assets and confiscation. We also enforce confiscation orders and conduct the work required to carry out requests made by other countries in compliance with our international obligations.
You will provide specialist advice on proceeds of crime work throughout the proceedings, including before charge, and after conviction. There will be some opportunities to present proceeds of crime cases in the magistrates and higher courts, as well as instructing counsel to do so. You will be expected to have up to date knowledge of proceeds of crime law, and criminal law generally.
These roles can be based at either Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle, however travel will be a requirement of the role.
Please note that we will be running a meet and engage session on the following date: (please use the below link to sign up)
These sessions are a great chance for candidates to join other CPS member of staff in a chat function to query details surrounding the role, the recruitment process, more information about the hiring area and any other general questions you may have.
There are 3 different types of posts available, as follows:
SCP General
The role purpose is to advise and prepare specialist cases for CPS Proceeds of Crime Division (POCD) prosecution. The postholder will be responsible for casework categorised as low to medium in the complexity matrix relevant to the work of the specialism.
SCP RART
The purpose of this role is to advise on and prepare cases for CPS Proceeds of Crime Division (CPS POCD), with a focus on asset recovery investigations conducted by the police and financial investigators in one of the nine Regional Asset Recovery Teams. The postholder will be required to occasionally travel to police premises.
SCP Civil Recovery
The purpose of this role is to conduct effective civil recovery investigations and proceedings, increasing the number and value of asset recovery disruptions by building effective relationships with Regional Organised Crime Units.
Further information regarding the roles/ locations can be found on the attached candidate pack.
Please note that candidates must have the below essential experience to be eligible to apply for these roles;
- Experience of drafting legal documents
- Experience of conducting legal and factual research and analysis
- Experience of dealing with incomplete and conflicting evidence
- Experience of managing contested casework/litigation with multiple parties
- Confidence dealing with numerical data.
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of criminal law and civil recovery
Please note, the following is considered desirable experience for this role:
- Proven legal experience in all aspects of proceeds of crime work
- Experience of serious criminal casework.
- Experience of drafting briefings, delivering presentations and training
- POCA Knowledge
Candidates must have the below essential technical skills to be eligible to apply for these roles;
- Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
- Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law.
- Professional: Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and have completed the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board).
- CILEx: The post holder must be a Fellow of CILEx, and in addition be a CILExAdvocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates providing them with a general qualification within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Therefore, the holder must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates’ courts in order to meet the requirements for a Crown Prosecutor specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
For further information on how to apply, please see the Candidate Pack at the bottom of this page.
Job description
CPS Proceeds of Crime Division (POCD) is at the forefront of the fight against Economic Crime, ensuring that criminal assets are restrained, confiscated and enforced so that criminals do not benefit from their ill-gotten gains. We are also working with law enforcement colleagues to use new civil recovery powers to target unexplained wealth.
The postholder will be required to consider cases fairly in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The purpose of this role is to advise on and prepare specialist cases for CPS Proceeds of Crime Division (POCD) prosecution. The postholder will be responsible for casework categorised as low to medium in the complexity matrix relevant to the work of the specialism.
The postholder will have a caseload of restraint and confiscation work on the Pre-Enforcement Teams, or enforcement casework on the National Enforcement Unit.
Postholders will be responsible for their own caseload – advising investigators, reviewing case files, conducting proceedings and providing legal advice on cases to be presented in the Magistrates’, Crown and High Courts.
The postholder will analyse, review, prepare and present a wide range of restraint, confiscation and enforcement cases. The postholder will have a high volume of casework in respect of advice and review, which will include some of the more challenging, serious and sensitive cases. There will be scope for some advocacy in the Magistrates court and in the Crown Court.
Subject to the postholder satisfying the general qualification provision within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Service Act 1990, the post is designated by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a Crown Prosecutor under the terms of section 1 (3) of the prosecution of Offences Act (1985).
Person specification
- To conduct discussions with law enforcement authorities (LEAs) on the evidential requirements for restraint, confiscation and enforcement applications. To review cases where applications will be made to the Magistrates, Crown and High courts, decide whether it is appropriate to make the application and to decide on the terms of the application. CPS POCD makes applications for restraint, receivership, confiscation and reconsideration of confiscation orders.
- To demonstrate high levels of advocacy, media handling, written and oral communication skills in relation to all cases for which the postholder is accountable so as to maintain public confidence in the prosecution process.
- To undertake advocacy in relation to Magistrates Court and Crown Court applications when appropriate.
- To make decisions relating to applications for restraint, confiscation and enforcement and whether to accept any defence proposals offered; when to change a previously prepared course of action; when to withdraw or compromise applications and whether to apply for compensation or costs.
- To deal effectively and persuasively with a wide range of people, both within and outside the CPS, as part of a multi-skilled team and on an individual basis in order to ensure effective and successful applications. To seek improvement by assessing and sharing lessons with others.
Qualifications
Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law.
Professional: Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and have completed the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board).
CILEx: The post holder must be a Fellow of CILEx, and in addition be a CILExAdvocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates providing them with a general qualification within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Therefore, the holder must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates’ courts in order to meet the requirements for a Crown Prosecutor specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
If you apply AND are found not to possess any of the above any offer of employment will be withdrawn, or contract terminated.
Please note the qualification as stated is required for this role and equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.
If you are unsure about your eligibility please contact strategic.resourcing@cps.gov.uk
Memberships
Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law.
Professional: Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and have completed the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board).
CILEx: The post holder must be a Fellow of CILEx, and in addition be a CILExAdvocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates providing them with a general qualification within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Therefore, the holder must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates’ courts in order to meet the requirements for a Crown Prosecutor specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- The successful applicant is required to be:
Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Exami
Benefits
£13,243 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
CPS is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.
We want to ensure all our employees can thrive at work and home and offer a range of support to achieve a balance. This includes where possible, flexibility of working hours, flexibility to support caring responsibilities and a flexible approach to deployment, which means that where you work (i.e. a court, an office, or a remote setting such as your home) will be based on the kind of work you are undertaking.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility alongside our Mental Health First Aiders Programme and Wellbeing Sessions.
CPS commits to offer its employees the following experience
Impactful, purposeful work making a difference to your local communities
The ability to learn and grow, with access to the right opportunities and resources
To care about your wellbeing
To feel valued, trusted and included
We also offer the following range of benefits:
Civil Service Pension
Access to employee savings
Cycle2Work scheme
25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years service.
1 extra privilege day entitlement to mark the Kings Birthday.
Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.
Childcare vouchers unless already registered with the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme)
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The recruitment process will consist of an CV upload, legal assessment and virtual interview.
Instructions for the assessment will be sent on 13th September, and you will required to submit your completed assessment by midnight on the 18th September. Should you be successful in the assessment, you will be invited to interview w/c 25 September
Your interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch with further guidance. If you have any queries about this please contact the CPS Recruitment Team at Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk
You should keep these dates free or notify us if you are not available. We will make every effort to accommodate you in your preference for dates; however we cannot guarantee that they will be met.
The successful applicant will be required to secure DBS & SC clearance; to speed up this process; you should bring 3 forms of ID with you on the day of interview. Data gathered from unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed in accordance with our Data Retention Policy.
If successful in obtaining an interview you will be asked to complete the Character Enquiry Form, Nationality and Immigration Questionnaire and National Security Vetting Form.
(If you are an internal member of staff, you will not be required to undergo this DBS check as you will already hold this clearance)
Meet and Engage
Please note that we will be running a meet and engage session on the following date: (please use the below link to sign up) It will be held on Microsoft Teams
21 August 2023- 5pm-
These sessions are a great chance for candidates to join other CPS member of staff in a chat function to query details surrounding the role, the recruitment process, more information about the hiring area and any other general questions you may have.
CV (Upload)
You will be required to upload an up to date CV which should display the essential experience and include the below information:
Career history with key responsibilities
Skills and experience
Achievements
Qualifications
You will need to attach your anonymised CV as one document, this should be up to a maximum of 2 A4 pages long. We ask that you do not provide personal details which could identify you i.e. name/ age/ home address.
Please note that it is the candidates responsibility to provide the specified application information in the requested format to ensure that they are considered for the post.
Other
This is a full-time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department.
This role will be in line with our hybrid working principles which are:
- Attending with Purpose – Considering where we work, whether at court, in the office or at home we focus on the needs of our role, team and Service and the positive benefits to best support business outcomes.
- Focused on Wellbeing – Supporting our own and others wellbeing enables us to thrive through inclusive working practices and environments.
- Collaboration is Key – Recognising that collaboration is integral to how we learn, grow and develop, together we prioritise innovation and problem solving, to achieve shared objectives.
Therefore, this will mean it will be a mixture of home working, office working and travelling to courts, how this is split will depend upon the business needs and your role within the organisation.
We would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.
Waiting List
Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months and may be offered another post, should any further vacancies for a Senior Crown Prosecutor arise in the CPS Proceeds of Crime Area during this period. CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other CPS Proceeds of Crime Area roles requiring similar knowledge and experience.
Excess Fares
Please note excess fares will not apply.
Fair Processing Notice (FPN)
From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details name, National Insurance Number and date of birth – will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
The Strategic Resourcing team in the CPS will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the IFD.
Current Civil Servants
Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action
Civil Service Commissioners
From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details name, National Insurance Number and date of birth – will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
The Strategic Resourcing team in the CPS will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the IFD.
Feedback will not be provided until the vacancy is complete
If you are dissatisfied with the recruitment process and wish to make a complaint, please contact Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk with your concerns.
If you remain dissatisfied and wish to make a further complaint, please click on the following link to the Civil Service Commissioners complaints page https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles can be found here
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/
Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Sammi Dong
- Email : sammi.dong@cps.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk
