CPS administrators train to become lawyers: Scheme offers new opportunities for employees whose career options were restricted

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to describe the law‐scholarship scheme, which enables administrators and caseworkers at the Crown Prosecution Service to become lawyers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights the reasons the scheme was introduced, the way in which it operates and some of the outcomes. It emphasizes the role of e‐learning in implementation of the scheme.

Findings

The paper reveals that the law‐scholarship scheme has become a central plank of the CPS's equality policy, opening up the service and its legal work to people from any background. In the 2005‐2006 intake, 51 scholars were aged between 16 and 25, 140 aged 25‐34, 116 aged 34‐54 and one over 55. Around 70 percent of scholars are women and 30 percent from a black or ethnic‐minority group.

Practical implications

The paper emphasizes the importance of making the most of the talents of existing employees.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that, although the aim was for CPS staff to qualify as solicitors or barristers, the organization recognized that simply improving legal knowledge would benefit both staff and the service.

Citation

(2007), "CPS administrators train to become lawyers: Scheme offers new opportunities for employees whose career options were restricted", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 24-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730710753942