Legislative change removes qualification barriers for CILEX lawyers, widening access to Crown Prosecutor roles
The CILEX has welcomed legislative changes allowing its members to apply for Crown Prosecutor roles, describing the reform as a significant step for the profession.
The change follows the passage of the Victims and Courts Act, which received Royal Assent on 30 April 2026. It removes the requirement for a general legal qualification that previously prevented many CILEX lawyers from accessing senior roles within the Crown Prosecution Service.
Before the Act, eligibility for Crown Prosecutor positions required legal professionals to hold broad rights of audience across multiple areas of law. While this was standard for solicitors, CILEX practitioners typically qualify through a specialist route.
As a result, criminal practitioners within CILEX were required to obtain additional qualifications outside their area of expertise in order to meet the eligibility criteria. The requirement acted as a barrier to progression within the CPS.
The new legislation removes that restriction, enabling CILEX lawyers to apply for Crown Prosecutor roles based on their specialist qualifications. The reform follows sustained calls to widen access to senior legal positions and address structural barriers within the profession.
Sara Fowler, president of CILEX, said the change would have a direct impact on the criminal justice system.
She said: “This change will widen the pool of specialist criminal lawyers eligible for senior CPS roles, helping to alleviate shortages and tackle the massive backlogs we are facing in the criminal courts.
“Removal of the general qualification requirement is recognition of the key role CILEX members play in our justice system and their specialist skills and expertise. It will open up career opportunities for CILEX members, encourage recruitment and retention and enable the CPS to attract more lawyers from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.”
CILEX said the reform would increase the number of lawyers eligible for Crown Prosecutor roles, supporting efforts to address capacity pressures within the courts. Expanding access is also expected to contribute to improving diversity within the legal profession.
With the Act now in force, CILEX lawyers can apply for Crown Prosecutor roles without meeting the previous general qualification requirement.