Law scholars recognised by Cherie Booth QC

15/06/2004

Two CPS Northamptonshire employees received certificates of achievement from Cherie Booth QC, to mark the first anniversary of the CPS Law Scholarship Scheme which sponsors administrative employees in the CPS to become qualified lawyers.

The event recognised 47 CPS employees from around the country who successfully completed a legal qualification, including the following CPS Northamptonshire employees:

• Joanne Van Geijlswijk - a Crown Court Caseworker for 12 years, the CPS sponsored her Law degree and Legal Practice Course (LPC) and she became a Legal Trainee at the beginning of June 2004.
• Wendy Westrope - spent two years as a Legal Trainee and became a Crown Prosecutor (lawyer) in May 2004. She now prosecutes in magistrates' courts across the county.

Legal Trainee Joanne Van Geijlswijk said: "It's not just financial assistance but the flexibility and support provided by the CPS which enabled me to study full time whilst balancing family commitments and part time work.

"The quality of the CPS' work is dependent upon its employees, so it is really positive that the CPS is investing in its people and providing good career opportunities. I am delighted to now be a Legal Trainee."

Crown Prosecutor Wendy Westrope said: "I am thrilled to have achieved my goal of becoming a CPS prosecutor, a job that carries great responsibility and is both demanding and rewarding. Reducing professional glass ceilings ultimately opens up the possibility of CPS lawyers becoming judges in the future."

Chief Crown Prosecutor Colin Chapman said: "I am delighted to include 'home grown' talent as part of our highly committed and well-trained team which faces a challenging agenda at the heart of the Criminal Justice System.

"This is not only about personal achievement but also about growing lawyers for the future from a diverse range of backgrounds, so our prosecution service can be representative of the local people we serve."

Area Business Manager Fiona Campbell said: "In the past, for some people access to legal education and training has been difficult and expensive. Now, many more talented people have the opportunity to rise through the ranks from administrator to prosecutor."

The ceremony was co-hosted by the Solicitor General and Lynda Clark QC MP, the Advocate General, and was also attended by the Director of Public Prosecutions. At present, there is one administrator at CPS Northamptonshire who is studying as part of the Law Scholarship Scheme.

Notes

1. The CPS Law Scholarship Scheme was launched in June 2003. It provides 100% financial support to individuals and represents a 1.4 million pounds investment each year.
2. The scheme aims to: extend higher education opportunities to those without post-school qualifications; diversify the legal profession and thereby diversify the pool from which the judiciary is chosen; and assist recruitment and retention in the CPS.
3. Nationally, 235 Law Scholars took part in the scheme in its first year. There has been a high success rate: so far only 4.25% of people have dropped out or deferred. Around 75% of the Law Scholars are women and at least 20% are from black and ethnic minorities.
4. The CPS employs 2,500 lawyers - the largest employer of lawyers in the UK - and 5,000 administrative staff, across 42 areas in England and Wales.