|
Criminal Defence Service |
 The
Criminal Defence Service (CDS), administered by the Legal Services Commission replaced the old system of criminal legal aid on 2 April 2001.
The purpose of the CDS is to ensure that people suspected or accused of a crime have access to advice, assistance and representation, as the interests of justice require.
|
|
General Criminal Contracts |
Private practice solicitors are only be able to carry out criminal defence work funded by the Commission if they have a General Criminal Contract.
Firms are audited against the Contract to ensure they continue to meet quality assurance standards.
The CDS logo is a mark of quality and is displayed in the window of contracted solicitors offices.
|
|
Levels of service |
1. Advice and Assistance covers advice and assistance on criminal matters
2. Advocacy Assistance covers some
advice and representation at court
3. Representation for criminal
offences under the general guidance of the 'Lord Chancellor and Secretary of
State for Justice'
|
|
The Public Defender Service |
|
Public defenders |
Since May 2001, the Commission directly employs a number of criminal defence lawyers, known as public defenders, initially at six pilot sites in England and Wales. The public defenders
are able to provide any of the services in exactly the same way as lawyers in private practice.
|
|
Mixed results for the new PDS |
An
impartial research team found that the PDS provides a better quality of service
overall than private practice.
However, the LSC proposes to close Birmingham, Chester and Liverpool PDS
offices. They all operate in areas with ample alternative Criminal Defence
Service supply, which is likely to be why they did not capture enough of the
work to give value for money.
|
