Legal Trainee Scheme & Barrister

Crown Prosecution Service; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A government legal agency in the UK is seeking legal trainees to join their extensive training program. You will gain vital experience in criminal law, preparing cases, and working alongside supervisors. This role guarantees a permanent position as a crown prosecutor upon completion of the program. Ideal candidates will have a law degree and must complete their Bar Course before September 2027. The agency offers flexible working, a competitive salary, generous leave, and a strong commitment to employee welfare.

Benefits

Flexible and family-friendly working

Competitive salary

Civil Service pension

25 days leave

3 days paid volunteering leave

Learning budget of £350

Wellbeing support and counselling

Qualifications

• Must complete Bar Course before September 2027.
• Interest in criminal law is essential.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience in reviewing cases and preparing pre-charge advice.
• Attend meetings with victims and witnesses.
• Complete advocacy training and legal courses.

Skills

Sound legal intellect

Verbal and written presentation skills

Education

Law degree

Graduate Diploma in Law or Common Professional Examination

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.