The role of the Director of Public Prosecutions

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service. The role is appointed for a term of five years. 

As the DPP, you’ll lead over 6,000 staff and have responsibility for hundreds of thousands of cases carried out by the Crown Prosecution Service every year. You will have a lot of experience behind you in criminal law, with an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system and how it impacts wider society.

You’ll direct the organisation to provide a high-quality service to the public and lead the way for change where it's needed, to ensure the public have confidence in the CPS to deliver justice.

You’ll manage partnerships with government departments and criminal justice sector organisations – representing the CPS at the highest-level.

As the DPP, you are the leading face and voice of the organisation. No day will be the same and you’ll be in constant demand, but you'll have the opportunity to make big changes and leave a lasting impact on the criminal justice system.

Meet our current DPP

Before his appointment as DPP for the CPS, Max Hill KC was the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation and Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association (2011-12).

Max built significant crime practice, defending and prosecuting in a number of complex cases of homicide, violent crime and high value fraud and corporate crime. He also has extensive advisory experience both nationally and internationally.

Max also appeared as lead prosecution counsel, alongside Michelle Nelson, in Channel 4’s The Trial (2017) in which real juries, together with actual barristers and judges, tried a fictional murder case in order to explore the workings of the jury system.

How do I apply?

The first step to becoming the Director of Public Prosecutions is to become a legally qualified solicitor or barrister through study and training. You’ll have significant criminal law experience at a senior level and experience in managing and leading staff.

To be successful, you’ll need to be approved by a panel overseen by a Civil Service Commissioner which is responsible for undertaking the search for a new DPP in open and fair competition.

To be in with a chance, you’ll need to show you have extensively practiced criminal law at the highest levels. You’ll also need to show your ambition and relevant experience to lead a large organisation where you will be required to demonstrate high levels of advocacy, media handling, written and oral communication skills on behalf of the CPS to ensure we maintain public confidence in the prosecution process.

What we do at the CPS

Watch our video to find out more about our work.

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