The recruitment process consists of an online test & application, video interview and a final virtual interview.
Behaviours assessed at video interview & final interview stage
-
Motivation (lead behaviour) video interview and final interview
- Making effective decisions video interview
-
Delivering at pace video interview
-
Managing a quality service final interview
-
Communicating & Influencing - final interview
The panel has the right to assess the lead behaviour Motivation first. If the standard on this behaviour isnt met, the other behaviours wont be considered, and your video interview wont progress. The panel also has the right to raise the minimum standard pass mark.
The panel may also refer to the lead behaviour at the interview stage to determine merit order.
Motivation lead behaviour
We want to understand why you want to work in public service, law and the Crown Prosecution Service. Were be looking for you to address the following five things at both video and final interview.
-
Why you want to join the Crown Prosecution Service.
-
Why you want to work in public service.
-
Your interest in the criminal justice system.
-
A strong focus on continuous learning and a willingness to progress your training and development.
-
Awareness of the Crown Prosecution Service values and priorities our latest strategy is available on our website: CPS 2030 strategy , The Crown Prosecution Service
First stage - Civil Service judgment test and application
After submitting the initial short application form, you are automatically invited to complete the online Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully complete the online test you are invited to complete an employment history section. Please note, this is not assessed by the panel. Both the online test and full application form must be completed and submitted before 11am on 6 July 2026.
Please ensure you allow enough time to complete both the online test and full application form before the deadline. We recommend completing the online test within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the invitation, to allow time to resolve any potential technical issues.
We send you an invitation to take the test and provide full instructions about how to complete it. The test cant be taken on mobile phones or tablets.
For more guidance about the online Civil Service tests, please see the GOV.UK website: Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Any duplicate applications will be rejected.
Second stage - video interview
If you pass the first stage, you will be invited to complete a video interview. This is not a live interview - you will use an online platform to record your responses to timed questions.
Invitations to the video interview will be sent by email on 7 July, with full guidance and instructions included.
If you require any reasonable adjustments for the video interview, please contact [email protected] by 11am on 6 July. Requests received after this time may not be able to be accommodated.
You will be able to access the video interview system from 7 July and you must complete and submit your video interview by 11am on 14 July.
Third stage - final interview
If you pass the second stage, you will be invited to attend an interview with a Crown Prosecution Service panel. Full guidance and instructions will be provided with your invitation.
Interviews are scheduled to take place between 24 August and 18 September and will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams.
Please note these dates are subject to change, and we cannot guarantee alternative interview dates.
At this stage, you will book your own interview slot through Civil Service Jobs. Once your slot has been confirmed, we cannot guarantee that changes will be possible.
We understand interviews can be stressful, so you will be sent your final interview Behaviour questions in advance.
Strengths
Strengths are tested at interview stage - the strengths tested are not shared before the interview.
Offer of employment
You can select up to three preferred office locations if youre successful. Well aim to offer you a role in your first preference location where possible.
Results are expected to be issued in the week commencing 22 September, this is subject to change.
The number of offers made may vary depending on business need.
Offers will be made in merit order within each location. Once roles have been filled, candidates who have passed but have not been appointed will be placed on a location-based reserve list for up to 12 months.
During this time, you may be offered a role if a vacancy arises in that location.
If youre offered a role that youre unable to accept due to extenuating circumstances, you may be able to remain on the reserve list. Please note that the reserve list will expire 12 months after the interview date, and we cannot guarantee that a role in your preferred location will become available.
Information sessions
We are holding a series of information sessions these are live webchats where you can ask us any queries you may have about your application, the process or the role. You can register here:
24 June at 1pm- https://meetandengage.com/amq9e5zjc
1 July at 1pm - https://meetandengage.com/amq9e85rx
Other
This is a full-time post. We do consider requests for flexible, part-time working and job share, always considering the operational needs of the department.
We are unable to offer visa sponsorship. If you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK, you will not meet the eligibility criteria for this role.
Clearance
If successful, we request Security Check clearance, for which you must have a current valid UK address.
If successfully appointed, we ask you to complete a character enquiry form, nationality and immigration questionnaire.
If you're a Crown Prosecution Service member of staff, you wont need to do a Disclosure and Barring Service check as you already hold this clearance.
The job youre applying for is covered by Article 3(a) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, consequently Section 4(2) of that Act doesnt apply. Youre required to disclose all previous convictions and cautions including spent convictions. Failing to make a full declaration will result in withdrawing your offer of employment if our checks reveal convictions that havent been disclosed.
To be cleared to Security Check clearance level, you have to be able to meet the residency requirement in the Cabinet Office guidance. For the Crown Prosecution Service, this is three years within the last five years.
Reserve list Only
Please note that some locations are advertised as reserve list only. For these locations, candidates who are successful will be placed on a location-based reserve list for up to 12 months and may be offered a role if a vacancy arises in that location during this time.
Reasonable adjustments
Diversity at the Crown Prosecution Service is about inclusion, embracing differences and ensuring our workforce truly reflects the communities we serve. We want you to feel that you belong and can thrive, whatever your background, identify or culture. As a Disability Confident employer, we're happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments and improve your recruitment experience. If you'd like any reasonable adjustments made to our recruitment process, let us know within your application or contact [email protected].
Fraud check
The Crown Prosecution Service provides a Fair Processing Notice to all new applicants after theyve been successful at interview. These candidates are informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details name, National Insurance number and date of birth are checked against the Internal Fraud Database. We won't employ anyone included on the database unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
The Strategic Resourcing team in the Crown Prosecution Service will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the Internal Fraud Database.
Feedback
You will only be able to obtain feedback if you attend an interview or assessment.
Civil Service Commission
If youre 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 Commission complaints page Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission
Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles can be found at 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 are 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 at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
