The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last week received recognition for its £5 million legal training programme when it scooped the award for innovation in career development at the human resources ‘Oscars’.

Winning at the Personnel Today Awards, presented in London by television celebrity Graham Norton, the CPS’s learning and development team was recognised for its law scholarship scheme, which sponsors staff from all levels within the CPS to become qualified solicitors and barristers.


Angie Rowan, who qualifies as a solicitor this month and is one of the scheme’s first beneficiaries, told the judges that it could be likened to ‘a hospital paying for an auxiliary to qualify as a doctor’. 


The scheme attracted 235 scholars in 2003, with 24 qualifying as solicitors and barristers. In 2004, 314 scholars successfully applied, with 58 of these expected to qualify as lawyers.


Honoured: CPS team receives its award from Graham Norton (left)Costing £4.8 million over three years, the law scholarship scheme was launched in June 2003 and is supported by the Law Society, Bar Council and Institute of Legal Executives. Under the scheme, CPS staff at every level can apply for 100% bursaries to study for a range of legal qualifications, based on their experience and existing qualifications.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve won this award. The Crown Prosecution Service is by far the largest law firm in the country, so it makes sound business sense to grow our own lawyers and other legally qualified staff. This award recognises our commitment to developing and providing opportunities for our staff who in turn reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities we serve.’


The award judge, Bob Arnold, client solutions director at Chiumento Career Management Specialists, said: ‘The scheme enabled the organisation to improve its own lawyers and has reduced the need to hire in higher salaried lawyers from private practice. This innovative approach has helped ensure that legal staff are more representative of the diverse range of backgrounds and experiences of the community at large.’


The CPS team won against competition from the Audit Commission, outsourcing company Quintiles and retail jeweller Signet Trading.


The CPS employs 2,500 lawyers and 5,000 administrative staff across 42 areas in England and Wales.



Previously, the CPS won the LawCareers.net and Trainee Solicitors Group award for the best recruiter (in-house and public sector) for its legal trainee scheme, which is stage four of the law scholarship scheme.