The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today announced the appointments to its new, smaller, advocacy panel. Following an application process that began in March 2011, 2,582 advocates, the vast majority of who are barristers but with around 20 solicitor advocates, have been appointed.

From 1 February all external advocates undertaking prosecution work on behalf of the CPS, with the exception of Queen’s counsel and junior and senior treasury counsel, must be on the new panel.

Of the 2,816 candidates who applied, 91% were successful in gaining a place. But 38% of the 4,500 advocates who had been on the CPS’s previous list did not apply to be on the new panel.

Panel-advocates have been graded across four levels, so they are instructed on work that matches ability, knowledge and experience. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of applicants gained a place on the panel at the level they applied for, with a further 17% offered a position at the next level down.

Of the 236 (9%) of applicants who did not get a place on the panel, all but 75 have been put on a reserve list. Those who were not successful can appeal.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC (pictured) said those on the panel had been through an ‘open and rigorous’ selection process. ‘It is crucial that the CPS can instruct the very best advocates to present our cases from both within and outside the organisation, and this scheme means we now have a pool of quality assured barristers and solicitors with the talent and experience to do that,’ he said.

The Bar Council welcomed the announcement, but said the length of time taken to complete the process had left practitioners facing an uncertain future at a time when they are under increasing pressure. The Bar Council’s chair, Michael Todd QC, said: ‘We hope that now the issue has been resolved, the panel will operate successfully and ensure the highest standards of representation.’