Case Study: Training and Development - Crown Prosecution Service

The Law Scholarship Scheme was launched in June 2003. It provides a comprehensive education and training framework for CPS employees and a ‘route map’ for those who aspire to become qualified in law. Access to education for some groups is more difficult and it is expensive and time-consuming to qualify in law. At the later stages it can be difficult to obtain a training contract or pupillage.

The Law Scholarship Scheme is in four stages:

Stage 1 – A level or equivalent

Stage 2 – law degree, ILEX or convert a non-law degree

Stage 3 – Legal Practice Course or Bar Vocational Course

Stage 4 – Legal Trainee Scheme – training contract or pupillage

CPS provides 100% funding for the duration of the stage for course fees, books and exams. Staff can also benefit from flexible working arrangements which enable them to combine work and study.

The CPS sees this scheme as a way to set a standard among the legal profession and to open up the profession to a more diverse group of people, by encouraging and enabling women and ethnic minorities to become qualified.

Over 650 staff have benefitted since the introduction of the scheme and over 80 of these have qualified as solicitors or barristers. Most remain with the CPS to undertake the full range of duties from review work to presenting cases in court.

As the scheme is so successful, the Legal Trainee Scheme (stage 4) has been extended and the CPS runs a national campaign each October for round 50 pupils and trainees solicitors for trainees to start the following October.

Each year approximately 70% of the scholars are women and 30% are from a Black or Minority Ethnic group.

The scheme has helped to establish the CPS as an employer of choice and enhanced recruitment and retention.