At the cutting edge of court work

John Brighouse describes his role in charge of casework units

While the television drama 'The Knock' isn't going to attract lawyers to work for Customs any more than 'The Bill' will make someone want to join the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), there is a definite excitement to being at the cutting edge of a complex, high-profile case, says John Brighouse, head of operations.

'There is also a public service element in working for a government body rather than in private practice, and I certainly have always felt comfortable with being a prosecutor,' he says.

Mr Brighouse did his articles with a legal aid firm in Manchester and spent about a year there before joining the county prosecuting solicitor's office and then the CPS on its inception in 1986.

Mr Brighouse worked in various posts, including as a special casework lawyer, when he was responsible for the James Bulger murder prosecution.

He joined Customs in 1998 as head of prosecutions in Manchester, before being made head of operations, in charge of the four 40-strong casework units, three of which are in London and one in Manchester.