Crown Prosecutor Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a Crown Prosecutor job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our Crown Prosecutor question bank of 16 questions, written for UK employers at mid-level level.

Eight Crown Prosecutor interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. Why do you want to be a Crown Prosecutor, and what do you think makes a good one?

Why they ask: They want to see an understanding of the prosecutor's public-interest, quasi-judicial role.

2. Explain the Full Code Test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and how you apply it to a file.

Why they ask: This is the core decision-making framework for every prosecutor.

3. What are a prosecutor's disclosure duties under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the Attorney General's Guidelines?

Why they ask: Disclosure failures cause collapsed trials and miscarriages of justice, so they are a constant focus.

4. How does the Threshold Test work, and when would you use it instead of the Full Code Test?

Why they ask: Charging decisions often need to be made at speed, and prosecutors must know the legal limits.

5. In a domestic abuse case, the complainant tells the police she wants to withdraw her statement. How do you approach the decision whether to continue?

Why they ask: Domestic abuse prosecutions are central to CPS work, and withdrawal is a frequent problem.

6. How would you decide whether to apply to admit a defendant's previous convictions as bad character evidence?

Why they ask: Bad character applications are routine and require precise knowledge of the statutory gateways.

7. How does allocation work for an either-way offence, and what does the prosecutor say at the hearing?

Why they ask: Allocation is a routine magistrates' court task needing procedural precision.

8. Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision to discontinue or amend a charge.

Why they ask: Prosecutors must be willing to make unpopular decisions based on the evidence.

A sample answer to question 1

Why do you want to be a Crown Prosecutor, and what do you think makes a good one?

I want to be a Crown Prosecutor because the role carries real responsibility for fairness in the criminal justice system. Prosecutors make decisions that affect victims, defendants and communities, and have to do so independently and objectively, without simply backing the police. What attracts me is applying the Code for Crown Prosecutors, thinking about evidence rigorously and also about the human impact of a case, especially for vulnerable victims. A good prosecutor combines sound legal knowledge with clear judgement and the courage to discontinue a case when the evidence is not there or to push on when the case is difficult but right. They also need to communicate well with police officers, witnesses, defence advocates and the court, stay calm in a heavy caseload, and meet disclosure duties meticulously. Having worked as a solicitor in criminal defence, I understand how the system looks from the other side, which I believe makes me a more balanced prosecutor.

Common mistake to avoid: Presenting it as being on the police's side; focusing only on securing convictions

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Crown Prosecutor interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.