Sibylle Cheruvier, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

Sibylle Cheruvier is a trainee prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). She graduated with a degree in business and management from Brunel University.

Choosing a training contract with the CPS

I’d always had a keen interest in the law but I wanted to be sure before launching into such a long training process, so I did a degree in business and management first. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was the only place I was ever going to work: criminal law fascinates me and being a trainee prosecutor allows me to work for the public by bringing offenders to justice.

A typical day as a trainee lawyer

I start my day by checking if my supervisor has specific work, such as giving pre-charge advice, for me. In addition I attend court to observe, review cases, carry out research and draft applications and skeleton arguments. My main responsibility is to work towards acquiring all the skills set by the Law Society so that I can qualify. Our office in Portsmouth is above the police station and next to the magistrates’ and Crown Courts, which is immensely practical if we are called into court at short notice. I work from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm – although if something urgent comes up I might need to stay later.

The highs and lows of my first job in law

I really enjoy the challenges of my role: in one week I might watch a trial from start to finish, become involved in a fatal accident case or join a delegation travelling overseas to learn about foreign criminal justice systems. The best aspect of my job is the feeling that I’m making a difference every day, working with talented people who strive to do their best for victims and witnesses. The worst aspect is the fact that I have to wait another 16 months before I can conduct trials for myself!