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.
Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.
The CPS works closely with the police, courts, the Judiciary and other partners to deliver justice.
At the Crown Prosecution Service we are responsible for delivering justice through the independent and effective prosecution of crime. As the principal prosecuting authority across England and Wales the nature and diversity of cases we advise on and prosecute means our work is often challenging and complex.
Approach to equalities
For the CPS, equality and diversity is about more than just meeting our statutory requirements. Equality and diversity is fundamental to delivering fair prosecutions, achieving equitable employment practice and building the confidence of all the communities we serve.
We recognise the importance of looking across the various protected characteristics from the perspective of victims, witnesses and defendants who may belong to several different communities. For example, the impact of hate crime on a disabled black person or the impact of domestic violence on a gay man will be multilayered and complex. In order to encourage people from diverse communities to report crime, to give their best evidence and to stay with the prosecution process to its conclusion, the CPS needs to respond to the complex nature of how different people experience crime and the different impacts it can have on their lives.
Careers at the Crown Prosecution Service
Our service employs almost 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.
The CPS is committed to attracting and retaining people from across the full range of backgrounds and enabling flexible ways of working. We offer maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks' full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of two weeks' full pay.
Social Mobility Employer Index
The Crown Prosecution Service has been ranked as one of the Top 75 employers in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2019.
The top 75 UK employers who have taken the most action to improve social mobility in the workplace are included in what is believed to be the world’s only Social Mobility Employer Index.
Working Families
The CPS has again been recognised as one of the Top 10 most family friendly workplaces in Britain by Working Families, the UK’s work-life balance charity.
The Top 10 is based on the Working Families’ benchmarking survey which examines all aspects of workplace flexibility and how employers support the work-life balance of their staff. Our policies for flexible working, support for parents and recruitment practices were all praised as best practice.
Disability Confident Leader
This recognises the CPS as an organisation which plays a leading role in shifting attitudes towards disability and where disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
The CPS is one of only 10 Government departments who have achieved leader status.
Investors in People
The CPS is accredited by Investors in People (IiP) at silver standard. This standard recognises excellence in people management and identifies CPS as an employer who leads, supports and manages people well for sustainable results. In achieving accreditation, IiP recognised the key to the CPS’ success has been the development of our people through consistent practices across locations, and an investment in leadership and management skills.
The Good Recruitment Charter
The charter defines good recruitment practice through nine key principles that the organisations who sign up to the charter will aspire to. Good recruitment helps organisations to acquire the talent they need in order to perform and grow. It provides great candidate experiences and helps ensure that the UK workforce is used to its full potential.