Happiness at work week

I joined HMCPSI in 2021 from local government where I had been a childcare solicitor and then manager of the safeguarding and litigation team. I was attracted to the role of legal inspector with HMCPSI as it provides a real opportunity to be part of a drive for improvement across the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

As a small government department, inspectors have a lot of opportunities to take on responsibility and be part of a wide range of inspections. During my time at HMCPSI I have worked on CPS Area inspections, an inspection of the service provided by the CPS to victims of domestic abuse, case progression in the SFO and am currently leading an inspection about CPS induction processes. My day-to-day work includes inspecting CPS files and assessing the quality of casework and legal decisions made, reviewing strategic documents and how these fit with the aims and objectives of the CPS and SFO, interviewing and holding focus groups with CPS and SFO colleagues and stakeholders of all levels, pulling all of the evidence gathered together and drafting reports where we make judgements and recommendations.

I really enjoy the varied work that I do with the Inspectorate and the opportunities it provides to engage with lots of people. Inspection activity is carried out in small teams of legal and business inspectors and whilst file examination, document reading and drafting reports can take place working from home, it includes onsite work which is a great opportunity to meet and work with colleagues who are also usually working remotely. My work has taken me all over the country visiting the SFO in London and various CPS Areas and I have even had the opportunity to travel to Tbilisi in Georgia to attend the International Association of Prosecutors conference.

When carrying out an inspection, we must have a strong eye for detail and have to consider whether the correct legal decisions are being made, that cases progress in a timely manner and that the obligations such as disclosure of the prosecuting authority are fulfilled. At the same time, we must ensure that we are assessing cases proportionality and fairly in the context of busy departments that have high volumes of casework. We must be sure that our judgements are evidence based and that any recommendations that we make are clear and achievable.

I would highly recommend inspection work to anyone that is interested. The work is varied and interesting and there is an immense satisfaction in being involved in an organisation that has a focus on improving casework quality, service to victims and building public confidence in the prosecution process. There is a lot of autonomy in being an inspector and I really enjoy working in a department where you are given a lot of responsibility but are supported in doing so. Being an inspector exposes you to strategic thinking and processes that I had not experienced previously and which will no doubt help me with my own development and career progression.