Treasury Counsel Pathway

Introduction
The Treasury Counsel Pathway
Eligibility
Application Process
Video: DPP Max Hill QC on the Treasury Counsel Pathway

Introduction

The CPS is committed to ensuring that the communities we serve see themselves better reflected in the diversity of our advocates. This extends to external advocates who prosecute on our behalf, including Treasury Counsel.

The aim of the Treasury Counsel Pathway is to identify and support talented advocates from underrepresented groups who aspire to become the Treasury Counsel of the future. It represents a joint commitment from the CPS, the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), and the Treasury Counsel team and seeks to enable the brightest and best advocates to seize opportunities and reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

Feedback from the first TC Pathway includes:

“The Pathway has been the best career progression opportunity I have had in 15 years of practice at the Bar”

“It has opened my eyes to the range of work and the opportunities available to TC…helping me understand what the panel and stakeholders are looking for in a monitoree”.

The Treasury Counsel Pathway

The Pathway is a 12-month positive action scheme for advocates who have the potential to become Treasury Counsel in the future - particularly those from underrepresented group, or who may not, ordinarily, see themselves as Treasury Counsel.

The Pathway offers no guarantee of appointment as a Treasury Counsel, but will provide participants with a better understanding of the standards and skills required of Treasury Counsel, through a combination of:

One-to-one mentoring from one of the current Treasury Counsel team
Job shadowing opportunities including observing court work and visiting “The Room”.
Stakeholder conversations – for example with the judiciary, former Treasury Counsel, the CPS or the AGO
Practical workshops, including an overview of the recruitment process.

Applicants will be expected to commit to, and complete, all stages of the Pathway. The Pathway is free of charge, with travel costs claimable where events or activities take place more than 25 miles from the chambers.

Eligibility

Applicants must be barristers, or solicitors with higher court advocacy rights, who:

are not based at the same chambers as current members of the Treasury Counsel team, and
have a minimum of seven (7) years’ advocacy experience - currently operating at CPS Advocate Panel level 3 or the equivalent for defence practitioners.

Give the aims of the Pathway places will be allocated to reflect the communities we serve, with the following underrepresented groups specifically targeted:

Those who are Female
Those from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
Those who are LGBT+
Those who self-declare as from a lower socio-economic background
Those with a disability or long-term health condition (12 months +).

Application Process

Advocates who meet the eligibility criteria are required to complete a written application, addressing the following: (max. 250 words each):

Experience and qualities - outline experience of prosecuting / defending and what qualities the applicant believes they would bring as potential Treasury Counsel
Pivotal Moments - describe a pivotal moment in their career so far, and the challenges faced. Applicants are asked to illustrate how they responded to challenges, what they learnt from their experiences and how these have shaped their subsequent approach
Aspirations - a statement of career aspirations and how the Treasury Counsel Pathway can help with these.

Applicants are also required to submit a reference completed by their Head of Chambers or equivalent.

Application and Referee Forms

The application window for 2023-24 is now closed.

Applications are assessed by a diverse three-person panel, comprising members of the CPS, the Bar and First Senior Treasury Counsel. Interviews will not be held, nor feedback offered to unsuccessful applicants.

The timetable for applications and appointments is as follows: