Kalisher Intern

Job summary

Interns provide support to our Casework, Legal and Investigations teams. The role is challenging and varied. One day you might be carrying out legal research on a developing area of law, another you might be examining material and compiling a summary or chronology, assisting in an interview with an applicant or witness, or involved in our interactions with experts from a range of forensic and scientific disciplines. You will certainly be responsible for answering queries from potential applicants and for preparing our monthly legal update and you will be expected to carry out an independent research project to support the work of the CCRC.​

In return, we offer you a unique and independent perspective on the criminal justice system and criminal cases. ​

​You will have the opportunity to see a case from all sides: we have unique legal powers to obtain material from the police, the prosecution, the courts and the defence, as well as records from prisons, the NHS and local authorities.

We will provide the latest IT to enable you to stay connected to and learn from your fellow Interns and from the diverse experience of all our staff who have backgrounds in law, policing, forensic science, trading standards, journalism, and regulatory work. ​

Our Internships are supported by the Kalisher Trust who aim to transform lives by encouraging and inspiring young people of ability, commitment, and ambition to achieve their potential and develop a career at the criminal bar. Most of our interns who seek pupillage go on to secure it. You will need to show, therefore, that you have exceptional promise as a criminal advocate and that you are of modest financial means. You will recently have completed the bar course and have a passion for criminal law and fairness.

Job description

Role Purpose
The role of the Intern is two part - firstly to provide casework assistance to Case Review Managers and to the Investigations and Legal teams. The second part will be to complete a research project agreed at the outset of the internship.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks
The Intern reports to the Senior Lawyer and provides casework assistance in response to requests. Interns will have the opportunity to develop skills. The key tasks may include:

• Under supervision, investigating lines of enquiry, assimilating and evaluating potentially extensive and complex material and information relevant to the case, re-evaluating as necessary during the course of the review​
• Preparing summaries and chronologies ​
• ​Assisting the Case Review Manager (CRM) in drafting Statements of Reasons ​
• ​Assisting CRMs and/or the Investigations team to interview and take statements from applicants, witnesses and other relevant parties ​
• Undertaking a research project based on the work of the CCRC. The project scope, plan and output will be agreed at the outset of the internship​
• ​Undertaking legal and other research​
• Assisting the CCRC’s Legal team with judicial review work and legal updates​
• ​Assisting with casework administration including corresponding with and providing assistance in writing to potential applicants and dealing appropriately with telephone calls when covering the main switchboard

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Lead: You will have completed the bar course in either 2025 or 2026 (and have received all results by 31st August 2026)
• A good understanding of the legal framework of the CCRC and the legal restrictions and powers granted to it ​
• Strong oral and written communication skills, reflecting the need to communicate effectively with applicants and potential applicants, their representatives, and other stakeholders.​
• Ability to manage a challenging portfolio of work including varied tasks with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities​
• Competency in the use of up-to-date IT equipment and packages​
• Ability to operate effectively in a remote working environment.​
• Commitment to the development of your own knowledge and skills.​
• The ability to act on your own initiative within the boundaries of the CCRC’s case procedures and agreed tasks.

Kalisher Criteria:

• Intellectual ability - demonstrated by academic performance, past work, activities and other experience. ​
• Motivation to succeed at the Criminal Bar - including steps taken to acquire the personal skills required of a Barrister, and a demonstration of the will to succeed. ​
• Potential as an advocate - both in oral and written skills. ​
• Personal qualities - including self-reliance, independence, integrity, reliability and humanity. ​
• Financial need - information demonstrating financial need.

Please refer to the candidate information pack which contains full details.

Qualifications

You will have completed the bar course in either 2025 or 2026 (and have received your results by 31st August 2026)”.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,582, Criminal Cases Review Commission contributes £7,411 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We offer a wide range of benefits, including flexible working options. You can also look forward to:

• A Civil Service pension - this will see us making a significant contribution to your pension fund
• 29 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), in addition to eight statutory bank holidays and special leave allowance for your birthday
• Generous paid maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (SPL) which is in excess of the statutory minimum
• We have flexible working patterns, including access to a flexible working scheme
• We also operate a flexi time system which means you can build up to two additional days off per month
• Remote working (anywhere in the UK) - we will supply a laptop and any equipment you don't already have so you can work from home comfortably and safely
• Reimbursement for any travel, subsistence, and expenses
• 3 paid volunteering days per year
• Access to retail discounts and a cashback site
• Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests and a contribution towards lenses or spectacles for VDU users

To find out more and apply, please visit our website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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