Recent changes in Legal Aid at the police station level mean that if a detainee initially requests the Duty or local solicitor, it is very difficult to transfer Legal Aid to this specialist firm while the suspect continues in police detention. It is therefore important for our clients to nominate us as their solicitors to the booking-in officer on arrival in custody. However, we can always be asked to privately represent any suspect in England & Wales; subject to cleared funds. This is a 24 hour service and we believe it is a fundamental right for someone facing allegations to have their own solicitor of choice in the Police Station.
Legal Aid does not normally allow for the attendance by a lawyer at the police station on relatively minor matters. All that happens is that the suspect may receive telephonic advice from an appointed CDS agent. We disagree with this relatively recent restriction of individual choice of lawyer on Legal Aid. We believe clients should have unhindered access to our own lawyers.
Anyone can instruct us on a private basis for independent emergency advice and assistance. This is irrespective of the level of allegation and applies all over England & Wales.
Please also note that we do not use ex-police officers as our police station representatives.
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