And this isn’t the first time the hi-tech system known as “LaunchPad” has failed
Aspiring prosecutors have been left frustrated after a glitch with a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) video interview system led to some candidates’ applications being accidentally erased.
Applicants who were applying for pupillages and training contracts through the CPS’ Legal Trainee Scheme (LTS) were asked to record themselves answering four questions in just three minutes.
Using a hi-tech system called LaunchPad — that has already been embraced by a number of City outfits including DWF, Irwin Mitchell and King & Wood Mallesons — wannabe lawyers can submit responses from the comfort of their own homes.
Unfortunately, on this occasion, it has been reported that some of the 900 graduates vying for just 25 trainee positions were either unable to submit their video response, or were informed that it had been erased altogether.
According to legal blog Roll on Friday, one candidate made “repeated attempts” to submit her application before the LaunchPad system eventually accepted it just minutes before the midnight deadline on 27 May. The unnamed law grad — who better get used to being frustrated and annoyed if she wants a job at the CPS — was then told the next day that her application had been “accidentally erased”.
A CPS spokesperson told Legal Cheek:
We were made aware of some technical difficulties in uploading video interviews as part of our Legal Trainee Scheme application. We acted quickly to try and resolve the issue and we will continue to liaise with applicants who were unable to upload their interviews.
Those based in London who are successful will start on around £24,000 rising to almost £34,000 on qualification.
But this isn’t the first time the LaunchPad system — that claims to be “six times faster than telephone interviews” — has suffered technical difficulties.
Back in 2014, DWF became the first large UK law firm to incorporate the video system into its formal training contract interview process. With the vast majority of applications going smoothly on the system’s first outing, a number of training contract hopefuls did however take to social media reporting “technical glitches”.
DWF has since stopped using LaunchPad.