Prosecutions Officer Full Time NEW

Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP)
Location: Fully Remote (England & Wales)
Salary: £28,500 – £32,500 per annum
(Starting salary expected at the lower end during probation period)

Main Purpose of the Role: To review, prepare, coordinate, and manage criminal prosecutions and civil applications conducted by Animal Welfare Investigations Project acting as a private prosecutor, ensuring cases are progressed professionally, lawfully, and effectively through the criminal justice system.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Review, prepare, and present criminal cases, civil orders, notices, and applications in which Animal Welfare Investigations Project is acting as the private prosecutor.
• Consider evidential and public interest tests and make recommendations regarding charging decisions, applications, prosecutions, or alternative disposals.
• Effectively manage case progression ensuring files meet prosecution and evidential standards and are prepared for hearings and trial, limiting unnecessary adjournments wherever possible.
• Liaise professionally with Police Officers, Court Legal Advisors, external prosecution counsel, defence solicitors, CPS representatives, probation services, court staff, witnesses, and other interested parties.
• Undertake file management duties including: reviewing witness statements and exhibits, identifying evidential gaps, ensuring disclosure obligations are met, preparing hearing bundles, managing case timelines and court directions, maintaining accurate case records and databases, prepare and make civil applications to the Court including, but not limited to, applications under Section 20 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
• Instruct and liaise with external solicitors, barristers, and counsel in contested matters or cases proceeding to trial.
• Attend Magistrates’ Courts, Crown Courts, conferences, and meetings where required.
• Provide operational and legal support to investigators and senior management during ongoing investigations.
• Assist with the development of prosecution procedures, case management systems, and evidential standards within the organisation.
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity at all times due to the sensitive nature of investigations and legal proceedings.

Key Requirements

E = Essential, D = Desirable

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present confidently before courts, professionals, and external stakeholders (E)

Ability to work under pressure, prioritise competing workloads, and meet deadlines in fast-moving environments (E)

Strong planning, organisational, and case management skills with the ability to identify issues early and proactively resolve them (E)

Ability to work independently whilst also operating effectively as part of a wider investigations and legal team (E)

Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle with willingness to travel nationally for court hearings, operational deployments, and meetings (E)

Willingness to stay away from home for extended periods where required during trials, hearings, or operational activity (E)

Good understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, court processes, evidential standards, and disclosure obligations (E)

Experience handling criminal case files, investigations, prosecutions, or litigation (E)

Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office, cloud systems, databases, and digital evidence management (E)

Ability to make sound, balanced, and pragmatic decisions under pressure (E)

High levels of discretion, professionalism, and integrity (E)

Previous experience working within criminal justice, prosecutions, policing, animal welfare enforcement, or legal practice (D)

Experience preparing or managing private prosecutions (D)

Experience within animal welfare legislation or regulatory enforcement (D)

Relevant legal qualifications or active legal studies (D)

Highly Desirable Backgrounds

Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals with experience as:

• Police Officer
• RSPCA Inspector
• RSPCA Prosecutions Case Manager
• Police-Led Prosecutions Officer
• Trading Standards Officer
• Criminal Solicitor
• CILEX Criminal Lawyer
• Regulatory Enforcement Officer
• Criminal Litigation Executive

Working Arrangements

• Fully remote working
• Flexible working hours
• National travel required
• Occasional evening/weekend work may be required depending on operational or court demands

Additional Information

Animal Welfare Investigations Project operates within sensitive and often complex investigations involving serious animal cruelty. Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants may be exposed to distressing material including photographs, videos, and witness evidence relating to animal cruelty and neglect.

The successful applicant may be subject to reference checks and vetting processes relevant to the role.

Pay: £28,500.00-£31,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee mentoring programme
• Flexitime
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Experience:

• Criminal Law: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote