The new hires are in response to government plans to restore the 20,000 police officers lost since 2010, when austerity cuts began, reducing numbers of officers from about 143,000 to 123,000. The extra police officers are likely to result in more work for the CPS.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on 7 February and interviews are expected to begin later that month. The CPS aims to have its new hires in post around the country by the end of the year. Interviews will take place in Liverpool, London or Birmingham. Prosecutors give legal advice to the police, help decide which cases are prosecuted and with what offences and see them through to the end of trial.
Max Hill QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The CPS is one of the most exciting and dynamic places to work in the entire country.
“Every day our prosecutors advise the police and make fair and impartial charging decisions on all types of criminal cases. We’ve received a funding boost of £85 million and are looking for lawyers from all backgrounds to join us.
‘In return we offer flexible working hours, remote working which will particularly help parents and carers and a chance to make a real difference to people’s lives.’
Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar Council, said: ‘It is good news that the CPS is recruiting more prosecutors; together with the promised increase in police numbers, this should go some way to address plummeting investigation, prosecution and conviction levels, even whilst crime figures have risen.
‘But the whole system, from start to finish, needs urgent funding, not only for the police and prosecutors, but also to ensure there are enough defence lawyers, enough courts open, and enough judges sitting to hear cases. A piecemeal approach won’t repair the damage done by years of cuts to justice.’
