Find out about careers at the Public Defender Service and see our current vacancies.
Putting people first
Play a vital role in the justice system and ensure continuous access to justice.
At the Public Defender Service, you will defend people from all walks of life who qualify for criminal legal aid, and ensure they receive the first class defence their case deserves.
Civil Service benefits
- 25 days of annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service)
- pension schemes of up to 20% of your salary
- childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits
We welcome people from all backgrounds
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and we positively promote flexible working, including job shares.
We will consider all applications on merit regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion, ethnicity, preferred working pattern and except for exceptional circumstances your working location.
As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role.
Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
If you would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please ensure that you attach the Disability Confident Scheme Form when you return your application. You can use the same form to let the recruiting manager know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the sift or later selection processes.
See our equality and diversity policy
Higher Courts Advocates – Darlington
We are looking to recruit two experienced and ambitious Higher Courts Advocates to join our team in Darlington.
You will be a qualified Barrister or Solicitor-Advocate with substantial experience in providing advice and representation in the Higher Courts. You will demonstrate advanced advocacy skills in a wide range of complex and serious criminal casework. You will be an established practitioner with significant solicitor following and proven experience in building and maintaining a criminal law practice.
At the PDS, you will be part of a team of solicitors, advocates, clerks and operational support staff who are committed to providing high quality legal services to clients. You will have the opportunity to contribute your expertise to service and policy development aimed at improving the criminal justice system. In addition to a competitive salary, generous annual leave and Civil Service pension, the PDS will provide access to Archbold and other legal resources and training courses; we will reimburse the cost of practising certificates; we will pay travel and accommodation costs when travelling for work (in accordance with civil service policy).
For more details and to apply visit: Higher Courts Advocate (Ref: 85943) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK