Legal Trainee Scheme & Barrister

Crown Prosecution Service; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent legal organization in the United Kingdom is offering a legal trainee scheme aimed at aspiring barristers. This program provides extensive training in criminal law, leading to a permanent role as a crown prosecutor or crown advocate upon completion. Candidates must hold a law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law or equivalent, and must complete their Bar Course before September 2027. The position offers competitive benefits, including flexible working, 25 days leave and a contributory pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible and family-friendly working

Competitive salary

Civil Service pension with significant employer contribution

25 days leave, rising to 30 after 5 years

3 days paid volunteering leave

Privilege day for King’s birthday

£350 a year for individual learning

Wellbeing support and counselling

Cycle2work scheme and discounts

Qualifications

• Aspiring barristers with an interest in criminal law.
• Completion of necessary educational requirements.
• Ability to engage in legal advocacy effectively.

Responsibilities

• Participate in an extensive training programme to become a fully qualified barrister.
• Gain experience in all areas of legal work including preparing pre-charge advice.
• Build advocacy skills and present cases in court.

Skills

Sound legal intellect

Ability to present cases clearly, both verbally and in writing

Education

Law degree

Graduate Diploma in Law or Common Professional Examination

Completed Bar Course before September 2027

Job description

Applications are now open for the Crown Prosecution Service legal trainee scheme. This is an exciting opportunity to kick‑start your legal career and become a fully qualified barrister.

About the Crown Prosecution Service

At the Crown Prosecution Service, we’re responsible for delivering justice through the independent and effective prosecution of crime. We’re the largest provider of criminal law pupillages in England and Wales, offering you a comprehensive training and a permanent role at the employed Bar after successfully completing our legal trainee scheme. We’re proud to be recognised by our legal trainees in the Legal 500 Future Lawyers survey 2025 for our client secondments, confidence of being kept on, work/life balance, inclusiveness, international secondments and approachability.

About the legal trainee scheme

Our legal trainee scheme is an extensive training programme to help you become a fully qualified barrister. You gain valuable experience in all areas of our legal work, from reviewing cases and preparing pre‑charge advice to attending meetings with victims and witnesses. You’re guaranteed a permanent position as a crown prosecutor or crown advocate after successfully completing your pupillage.

You are supported by a supervisor who offers guidance and opportunities to develop your understanding of working as a prosecutor. Your first six months are non‑practising – completing advocacy training, legal courses and an optional secondment in chambers. During your remaining six months, you put your training into practice – building your advocacy skills, presenting cases in court and working with criminal justice partners.

You can develop your knowledge by working in specialist crime areas including rape and serious sexual offences, organised crime and fraud. We’re committed to your professional growth and expect, following your initial role in the magistrates’ court, that you have the necessary skills to apply for promotion opportunities based in the Crown Court including senior crown prosecutor and senior crown advocate roles.

About you

We’re looking for aspiring barristers with an interest in criminal law. You must have a law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law or Common Professional Examination, and have completed your Bar Course before September 2027. Sound legal intellect and the ability to present cases clearly, both verbally and in writing is essential.

About our benefits

• flexible and family‑friendly working
• competitive salary
• Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.9%
• 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays
• 3 days paid volunteering leave
• an extra privilege day for the King’s birthday
• £350 a year individual learning budget
• wellbeing support and counselling
• Cycle2work scheme, high street retailer offers and discounts

If you’re ready to take the next step in your legal career, find out more and apply today.