Criminal Defence Service (CDS)

About us

The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) guarantees that people under police investigation or facing criminal charges can get legal advice and representation.

By ensuring that people accused of crimes have access to legal advice and representation, the CDS also helps the police and courts operate fairly and efficiently.

The CDS is run by the LSC in partnership with criminal defence lawyers and representatives.

Criminal legal aid offers:

Advice and assistance from a solicitor on criminal matters
Free legal advice from a solicitor at the police station during questioning
The cost of a solicitor preparing a case and initial representation for certain proceedings at a magistrates’or Crown Court
Full legal representation for defence in criminal cases at all court levels
A duty solicitor to provide free legal advice and representation at magistrates’ court.

Need legal advice?

For free, confidential and independent legal advice visit the Community Legal Advice website.

The LSC itself is unable to provide legal advice or information. Case specific queries should be directed to your local office.

More about the CDS

For providers and practitioners

Forms - for service providers undertaking CDS funded work
Information about Crown Court means testing
How we are transforming criminal legal aid with our reform programme
Read Focus our electronic newsletter for legal aid practitioners
Information and guidance updates to the Unified Contract (Crime)
Information about criminal legal aid eligibility for clients in magistrates' court cases
Find your relationship manager

Corporate information

How we manage very high cost criminal cases and complex fraud cases
Our Public Defender Service scheme provides CDS services through directly employed solicitors, barristers and accredited representatives
Our criminal areas of work including what we are doing in police stations, magistrates' courts and the Crown Court
Read the latest Criminal Defence Service Consultations and responses
Details on the tendering process for CDS services

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Last updated: 03 August 2010