CPS Pupillage/Legal Trainee Scheme 2024 (2025 Start)

My application was updated at 8:20 am but I’ve heard nothing so far.

Mine was updated at 5:20 pm after I received an email about reasonable adjustments. It would have been easier if they said the 9th of Feb rather then 8th or 9 th ! 🤞

Worth noting that they work past 5, though!

I imagine they've had a lot of applicants, especially because its for TCs and Pupillage, both of which have now been open to applicants from the third-year of their degree (like me).

It would surprise me if we only heard right at the end of the day, but who knows!

Is anyone else refreshing this thread more than they are refreshing the application portal.

I'm doing both religiously, weaving a bit of diss reading in between hahah

This is torture! All the best with the dissertation.

There has been no update on my application and I noticed posts saying their applications were updated yesterday and now I’m worried about that.

Thank you!

I wouldn't worry about it; I imagine the initial update comes once your application has first been looked at. Considering someone on this thread only got the update at 5.20pm, it's super likely that they've still got applications and test scores to look over before making their decisions - hence why we haven't heard back just yet

Hello!

I was lucky enough after years of pupillage hunting (7 years to be precise from first applying on the BPTC) to obtain one with the CPS. I start September 2024, and to be my bewilderment, scored 96% in the final interview on the scoring criteria.

Knowing how hard it is and knowing that if I can do it, anyone can, I want to give back!

Ask me anything about the process and I will do my best to help. Just so you don’t walk away with nothing, here is my top tip for each stage:

Civil Service Tests/CV

- For the tests, do the practice ones. Get an idea of how they work. In the test try not to think too hard and trust your gut.
- BUT read each question carefully. Don’t just answer ‘Dumbledore’ because your gut tells you he’s a stand up guy.
- For the CV, tailor it to being a prosecutor. Read the trainee advert and go on Gov.com. It has a job description for prosecutors. Then spin your experiences around being a prosecutor.

The Video Interview

- How I hate it. Practice your stock answers repeatedly and keep them within time (1 minute 30 seconds etc). By stock I mean ‘Why CPS’, ‘Why a prosecutor’ (they are two distinct things), ‘Why crime’ etc.
- Get in front of your phone camera, or laptop and practice the answers. You need to get comfortable in front of the camera.

The Final Assessment/Interview

- Research the law they specify using the CPS website. Often has something of value. It is likely to be a legal academic question (ie, mine was about non-violent protests and whether prosecutions interfered with human rights.) So think about how you would argue these kinds of points based on the legal area.
- Prepare the behaviours they highlight in the advert using the STAR method. Plan 3 different examples for each behaviour.
- In the final interview, look at your camera. That way it kind of simulates eye contact.

Finally, best of luck! You can do it!

Very happy to answer any questions.

If it's any help for benchmarking , I got 88% in the first test and 'average' in the second test.

Well done!!

Does this mean the 88th percentile (i.e. better than 88% of candidates)??

Just got my email through - have got an interview. If it's any help for benchmarking , I was on the 88 percentile in the first test and 'average' in the second test. Hope you all find out very soon!