Access to Justice

Question 1

What does a suspect held at a police station have a right to?

Answer 1

Free legal advice, local solicitors operate a rota scheme so that there is a solicitor on duty in a 24 hour service to give legal advice which is government funded

Question 2

How will a duty solicitor give advice?

Answer 2

By phone or face to face

Question 3

Which agency made contracts with law firms to provide legal services to people charged with criminal offences?

Answer 3

Legal Aid Agency

Question 4

What can be made to fund the work on a case and the cost of representation at the Magistrates Court?

Answer 4

An application for a representation order

Question 5

What must D pass to be eligible for a representation order?

Answer 5

• interests of justice test

* means test

Question 6

What are the factors of the interests of justice test?

Answer 6

• if D would be likely to lose his liberty or livelihood or suffer serious damage to his reputation
• if the case will include consideration of a point of law
• if D is unable to understand the proceedings or state his own case
• if the case will involve tracing, interviewing or expert cross-examination of witnesses
• if it’s in the interests of another person that D be represented

Question 7

Who will pass the means test?

Answer 7

• those on Income Support

* under the age of 18 in full time education