Prosecutors

Under a change in legal rules, a number of our lawyers are qualified to appear in Crown Court and other higher courts. The reform, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service, means that employed solicitors with Higher Rights qualifications are able to appear in some cases in the Crown Court, and other higher courts.

Crown Prosecution Service solicitors may apply to the Law Society either for an eligibility certificate to take its written test and practical advocacy course, or for an exemption from these. They need to pass a rigorous Crown Prosecution Service advocacy assessment course before being deployed in a higher court. The Lord Chancellor and designated judges have granted limited higher court rights of audience to employed barristers.