Bldg 864, RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip HA4 6NG Job Summary The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) is based at RAF Northolt and is the principal prosecuting authority within the Service Justice System. The SPA is responsible for the consideration and, where necessary, prosecution of service offences before the Service Courts, which include, the Court Martial, the Court Martial Appeal Court, the Service Civilian Court, and the Summary Appeal Court. Our case work covers service offences, committed in the UK and abroad, from disciplinary offences through to criminal offences of the utmost gravity (including murder, manslaughter, and serious sexual offences). The cases are often high profile and subject to media coverage. The range of matters considered by our prosecutors encompasses cases that, in a civilian context would be dealt with by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As a Reviewing Lawyer you will provide advice to the Service Police on the investigation of offences and make charging decisions on cases referred by the Service Police, ensuring that victims are kept informed throughout. Working collaboratively with the Service Police, advocates and counsel, you will build and prepare cases for all hearings in the Services Courts and represent the prosecution at pretrial and sentencing hearings. Your casework will largely focus on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) and Domestic Abuse. You will also have an opportunity to contribute toward policy and guidance in these areas across the MOD. As part of the prosecution team you will work alongside dedicated lawyers and will mentor and aid the development of your more junior colleagues. You will deliver the best possible service to victims and witnesses. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description The management of a designated caseload, including serious/complex cases: making decisions on the proper application of the Code for Crown Prosecutors and service interest tests. Providing clear, cogent and well-reasoned advice, drafting sound case review analyses, good file preparation and case presentation in the Court Martial. Ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory time limits, meeting duties to other parties including victims, witnesses and defendants. Seeking permissions as required, advice when necessary and reporting relevant issues concerning casework as they arise in accordance with SPA policies. Supporting and advising junior colleagues. Developing a specialist prosecution capacity, in respect of RASSO, Domestic Abuse, child abuse etc. Committing to basic/refresher and ongoing training regime to ensure professional standards of prosecution in compliance with SPA policies and guidelines, and meeting CPD requirements. The management of a designated caseload, including serious/complex cases: making decisions on the proper application of the Code for Crown Prosecutors and service interest tests. Providing clear, cogent and well-reasoned advice, drafting sound case review analyses, good file preparation and case presentation in the Court Martial. Ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory time limits, meeting duties to other parties including victims, witnesses and defendants. Seeking permissions as required, advice when necessary and reporting relevant issues concerning casework as they arise in accordance with SPA policies. Supporting and advising junior colleagues. Developing a specialist prosecution capacity, in respect of RASSO, Domestic Abuse, child abuse etc. Committing to basic/refresher and ongoing training regime to ensure professional standards of prosecution in compliance with SPA policies and guidelines, and meeting CPD requirements. Person specification Essential: The role will involve advising on sometimes complex cases involving allegations of a serious nature, therefore experience of criminal law is essential. Experience of dealing with RASSO and DA casework is essential. Desirable: Prosecuting within the CPS or other Government agency and/or advising on criminal investigations. Licences Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid practising certificate for England and Wales from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board. Professional: The post holder will need to have successfully completed the Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board). Qualifications Professional: The post holder will need to have successfully completed the Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board). Memberships Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience. You will be asked to provide a 750 word personal statement about how you meet the criteria as part of the application. Where there is significant interest in the Vacancy Notice the panel reserves the right to carry out a sift based on the Lead Behaviour: Making Effective Decisions. As part of the interview process you will be required to complete an assessment, lasting approximately 45 min, will be carried out and will look to assess your ability in relation to legal case analysis and review. The candidate will be expected to present their conclusions during the subsequent interview. Further information about the format of the assessment will be provided prior to the interview date as preparation will be required. At sift and interview, you will be assessed against the following: Making Effective Decisions Managing A Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Delivering At Pace Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : Mrs Nina Maisuria Email : Nina.Maisuria100@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.