RWD2110 - Paralegal Officers Birmingham, England
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About the job
Benefits
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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and we make our decisions independently of the police and government.
Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.
Our service employs over 6,000 individuals who think objectively, act professionally, show the utmost respect for others and continually strive for excellence.
We offer you the opportunity to have a very real impact on society, the freedom to use your judgement and the chance to experience challenging and varied work.
All in a supportive environment that is invested in seeing you make the most of your life inside work and out.
Please note, the following are considered essential experience & technical skills for this role:
- Motivation for wanting to join the CPS
- Motivation for working in Public Service
- Awareness of CPS Values and Priorities
- Ability to communicate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
- Ability to make sound decisions and to know when to refer decisions to others
- Ability to work as member of a team
- Willingness and motivation to learn new skills
For further information on how to apply, please see the Candidate Pack at the bottom of this page.
Job description
The Regional and Wales Division of the CPS Serious Economic and Organised Crime Directorate deals with large, complex and sensitive economic and organised crime cases investigated by the Police, National Crime Agency, HMRC and other investigators. The types of cases prosecuted include people trafficking, drugs importation, bribery, corruption, serious tax evasion, historic sexual abuse and money laundering. The cases are some of the most high profile prosecuted nationally by the CPS.
The Regional and Wales Division is located across seven geographical sites. As such, travel may be required for attendance at training events, team meetings, legal conferences and court hearings. CPS employees can claim the cost of travel and other expenses in accordance with our Travel and Subsistence Code.
Paralegal Officers work closely with CPS Prosecutors, investigators and external barristers to prepare cases for court hearings, including trials. The work includes preparation of briefs to Counsel for court hearings, attending court, preparation of evidence and unused material for service, drafting applications and working with external suppliers, like expert witnesses. We are looking for people to be part of a team delivering justice in some of the most complex and high profile criminal cases dealt with by the CPS. Previous experience working in the Criminal Justice System is not necessary because full training will be given. However, this post would be ideal for people with an interest in criminal law or wishing to progress an existing career.
Paralegal Officers often have to deal with victims and witnesses at court, so we are looking for people who are able to communicate with individual from different backgrounds. Paralegal Officers need to be organised, professional and have good IT skills.
Person specification
Maintain regular contact with police officers, higher court advocates (CPS), prosecution counsel, judiciary, defence solicitors, Victim Support, witness care officers, and members of the probation service. Book counsel and Solicitor Advocates under instruction, ensuring they are included on the CPS approved list.
Represent the CPS effectively to outside agencies and the public, providing care, information and support to victims and witnesses of crime. Represent the unit at meetings, both internally and externally when required.
To prepare the Crown Court Case Preparation Package (CCCP1) on the Case Management System (CMS) at the pre and post committal/transfer stage, to include building indictments, consideration of the evidence and making recommendations to the reviewing lawyer as to the conduct of the case.
To identify the appropriateness of Hearsay, Bad Character, Special Measures and other applications and make recommendations to the prosecutor – draft the application. To prepare the Outline of Allegations, drawing the prosecutor’s attention to likely issues to be raised at the Plea and Directions (PDH) Hearings and any aggravating features of the case.
To deal with correspondence and more complex casework enquiries, throughout the lifecycle of the case. To liaise with counsel, witnesses, police and court staff including attending case conferences. To assist line management/prosecutors (as appropriate) in drafting replies to complaints
Negotiate professional fees with agents, counsel and expert witnesses within delegated authority and procedures including negotiating fees outside delegated limits, subject to management approval.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Ability to communicate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
- Ability to make sound decisions and to know when to refer decisions to others
- Ability to work as member of a team
- Willingness and motivation to learn new skills
Benefits
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.
- 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 online application and interview which will be held week commencing 01 May 2023.
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 [email protected]
You should keep this week 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 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)
Personal Statement (using the text box provided online)
You will also be asked to complete a personal statement of no more than 1250 words setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, match the requirements as detailed in the Candidate Pack. You will also need to address the core behaviours for this role, detailed in the Behaviours Section of the Candidate Pack, which are;
1. Making Effective Decisions
2. Communicating and Influencing
In addition, you will need to demonstrate the following experience and technical skills required for this role, detailed in the Experience and Technical Section of the Candidate Pack, which are:
- Motivation for wanting to join the CPS
- Motivation for working in Public Service
- Awareness of CPS Values and Priorities
- Ability to communicate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
- Ability to make sound decisions and to know when to refer decisions to others
- Ability to work as member of a team
- Willingness and motivation to learn new skills
In addition you will need to demonstrate the CPS or Civil Service Values.
Please refer to the Candidate Pack for further information as to the process and what is being tested at each stage.
CV Section (using the text boxes provided online)
You will not be required to upload your CV however, when submitting your application there is a ‘CV section.’ You will be required to provide information regarding your employment history and skills.
Please note that it is the candidate’s 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 and part-time working will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department.
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 Paralegal Officer role arise in SEOCID Regional Wales Division during this period. CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other 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 [email protected] 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
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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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