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Job description

The PPS is the principal prosecuting authority in Northern Ireland. In addition to taking decisions as to prosecution in all cases initiated or investigated by the police, it also considers cases initiated or investigated by other statutory authorities, for example HM Revenue and Customs. The PPS sits at the heart of the criminal justice system. The PPS works in partnership with the Department of Justice; the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service; the Northern Ireland Prison Service; the Police Service of Northern Ireland; the Probation Board for Northern Ireland; and the Youth Justice Agency, as part of the Criminal Justice System Northern Ireland. Accountability and Governance Arrangements: Since the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly in April 2010, the PPS has been designated as a non-ministerial government department. Funding for the PPS is provided by the Northern Ireland Assembly and, as Accounting Officer for the Service, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is responsible for ensuring that the public monies provided are used efficiently and effectively. The PPS budget for 2025/26 year is approximately £45 million. The PPS Management Board supports the Director in his leadership of the PPS and in reaching decisions on the strategic direction of the PPS, the development and implementation of appropriate strategy and in meeting his corporate governance responsibilities. The Board comprises the Director (as Chair), Deputy Director, two Senior Assistant Directors and two independent Non-Executive Directors. PPS Services: The primary role of the PPS is to reach decisions to prosecute or not to prosecute and to have responsibility for the conduct of criminal proceedings. Additional services are also available which have been designed to enhance the effectiveness of the PPS, including the provision of prosecutorial and pre- charge advice.

Responsibilities

• Consideration of files submitted by police and government departments with a view to deciding, or advising, as to prosecution in cases alleging the commission of an offence which can be prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court;
• Preparation of papers for prosecution, where appropriate, and directing such charges and evidence as is appropriate in each case;
• Attending court and conducting the prosecution of cases in the Magistrates’ Courts anywhere in Northern Ireland;
• On occasion preparing committal papers in Indictable cases;
• Providing prosecutorial advice, liaising and communicating with criminal justice stakeholders including victims and witnesses; and
• Carrying out such other duties as are required of a Public Prosecutor by the business needs of the PPS.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• The Director will designate the successful applicants as Public Prosecutors in pursuance of section 29(5) of Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.
• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: 1. Be a Barrister or Solicitor who is entitled to practise either at the Bar of Northern Ireland or as a Solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland.
• Those candidates, who are not currently entitled to practise must, prior to taking up appointment, be a Barrister or Solicitor who is entitled to practise either at the Bar of Northern Ireland or as a Solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern
• AND, Have at least two years’ post qualification experience of working as a Solicitor or Barrister.
• AND, Be able to demonstrate experience in Court Advocacy. You will be required to provide documentary evidence of your qualifications at interview so please ensure you have these readily available.

Desirable Skills

• In addition, applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview,
• the Panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the information provided by candidates in response to eligibility criterion 3.
• This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview. The Panel will complete this assessment against the information provided by applicants in the application form only.

Further Information

Temporary - Fixed Term (up to 207 weeks). NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 22nd May 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from protestants, males, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC325487)