C10: Acting for a defendant Flashcards
What should the client be given before the first in person consultation?
- The name and status of the lawyer conducting the interview
- Information on the costs for the interview
- Details of who to contact if they have a complaint
What are some good techniques to use in an interview?
Ask your client to explain why they need to speak with you in their own terms, to gauge their comprehension.
Use open questions (why who where how when)
Summarise the instructions.
Use funnelling (open to close questions to clarify)
What is a retainer?
A written agreement setting out terms of the lawyer-client relationship. Retainer can also refer to the fee paid.
What is Legal Aid?
When legal representation is funded by the state.
Which piece of legislation outlines the framework for the provision of state funded criminal defence work?
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
Who do all firms that undertake the provision of publicly funded criminal defence work have to sign a contract with?
The Legal Aid Agency.
In which body does the LAA sit?
The Legal Aid Agency is a department of the Ministry of Justice.
What kind of contract has to be signed between a firm and the LAA?
A Standard Crime Contract.
As well as criminal defence firms, who else offers the same services under Legal Aid?
The Public Defender Service (PDS) - they have criminal defence lawyers and accredited police station advisers.
Which form is used to apply for criminal legal aid in the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court?
CRM14 eform
What is the Police Station Advice and Assistance Scheme?
It is a non-means tested entitlement to receive free legal advice at the police station.
Who will police station advice be given by?
- Duty solicitor
- Firm nominated by the suspect who has a crime contract with the LAA.
How do the firms get paid for giving free advice at police stations?
The lawyer claims the costs from the LAA under the terms of their contract with them.
Who administers the duty solicitor scheme?
The LAA.
What is the duty solicitor scheme?
The scheme provides for solicitors from approved and contracted firms practising criminal litigation to join a rota or panel scheme.
What will the police do when the person asks for advice at the police station?
They will ascertain whether they have their own solicitor (who is willing to accept instructions) or else, they will contact the Duty Solicitor Call Centre, which will allocate a duty solicitor.
What is free-standing advice and assistance?
It is means-tested advice that allows a lawyer to undertake a limited amount of work (e.g. a meeting and a letter) before charge. It is not available after charge.
Requires forms CRM1 and CRM 2.
What is advocacy assistance?
Advocacy assistance includes representation before a Magistrates’ Court and applications to vary pre-trial bail. The duty solicitor scheme should take precedence though.
Requires form CRM3.
Who can a duty solicitor represent in court?
Anyone who is:
- in custody
- charged with an imprisonable offence
- applying for bail
Can a duty solicitor be used in a trial or by someone who has their own solicitor?
No, the duty solicitor is most likely to represent those appearing before a Magistrates’ Court for their first appearance, or those who wish to please guilty and be sentenced for a summary-only/either-way offence.
What is the difference between the duty solicitor scheme at court and a representation order (full criminal legal aid)?
The duty solicitor only does first appearances at court mostly.
The full representation order is for a full trial.
What is a Representation Order?
Full criminal legal aid, where the client requires legal representation before the court.
What two tests must a defendant satisfy to be granted a representation order?
The interests of justice (merits) test.
The means test.
What piece of legislation sets out the merits test?
s17 LASPOA 2012 (Legal Aid, Sentencing, Punishment of Offenders Act)
What are the ground by which an applicant can satisfy the interests of justice (merits) test in relation to an application for a representation order?
- Loss of livelihood
- Damage to reputation
- Substantial question of law
- Inadequate knowledge of English or a physical/mental disability
- Tracing and interviewing defence witnesses
- Expert cross-examination of witnesses
- The interests of someone other than the defendant
- Any other reason
Give 4 examples of the ground ‘loss of livelihood’ in regards to the merits test?
- Theft from employer
- Breach of trust
- Threat to current employment
- Sexual nature and job involves working with children
Give 3 examples of the ground ‘damage to reputation’ in regards to the merits test?
- Schoolteacher and offence is assault on a pupil
- No previous convictions and it will tarnish their reputation if convicted
- Offence could carry real stigma if convicted.
Give 3 examples of the ground ‘substantial question of law’ in regards to the merits test?
- Disputed identification evidence
- PACE 1984 infringement
- Confession caused by oppressive police behaviour
Give 2 examples of the ground ‘tracing and interviewing defence witnesses’ in regards to the merits test?
- Large scale public disorder and witnesses need to be traced by CCTV
- When a minor needs to be interviewed
Give 4 examples of the ground ‘expert cross-examination of witnesses’ in regards to the merits test?
- Defendant is accusing witnesses of lying
- Cross-examination of identification evidence
- Mistreatment in police station needs to be cross-examined
- Defendant is pleading not guilty and prosecution witnesses have to be cross-examined (defendants cannot do this themselves)
Give 2 examples of the ground ‘interests of someone other than the defendant’ in regards to the merits test?
- Victim is vulnerable and should not be cross-examined by the defendant.
- Other witnesses would be adversely affected if examined by the defendant.
Give 1 example of the ground ‘any other reason’ in regards to the merits test?
- The defendant needs advice about whether or not to elect trial by jury.
When is the interests of justice (merits) test automatically satisfied?
If the offence is indictable-only.
What is the means test?
Part of the Representation Order test, to check financial eligibility.
What are ‘passported’ applicants?
Defendants who qualify automatically in terms of their means and do not need to satisfy the means test for a Representation Order.
These are defendants:
- under 18 yo
- in receipt of qualifying benefits
What is gross household income?
Taking the client’s gross annual income and adding it to the client’s partner’s gross annual income.
What is adjusted income?
The client’s gross household income, weighted to take account of the number of people in the household.
An adjusted income of how much automatically passes the means test?
£12,475
An adjusted income of how much automatically fails the means test?
£22,325
What happens if someone earns between £12,475 and £22,325?
They will have to undertake a full means test, looking into disposable income (less than £3,398).
When will the defendant’s partner not be taken into account when working out the adjusted income?
When they are:
- the alleged victim
- a prosecution witness
- both are conflicted defendants
What number is the hardship review form?
CRM17, to be used if the applicant fails the means test, where the case is expected to be very expensive or
What are the steps to take to find out whether someone passes the means test for the Magistrates’ Court?
- Are they under 18 or on qualifying benefits?
- Is the adjusted income below £12,475?
- Is the adjusted income over £22,325?
- Full Means Test - is the disposable income less than £3,398?
- Can they apply for a grounds of hardship?
For the Crown Court, how is legal aid calculated?
By reviewing the applicant’s income and capital (including property).
What might the applicant for legal aid at the Crown Court be asked to pay?
They may have a contribution order to pay a contribution (often 90% of disposable income)toward their defence legal costs.
What happens to the money paid under a contribution order if the defendant is acquitted?
They will be refunded with interest.
What is the threshold for capital and equity for Crown Court proceedings?
£30,000
How much disposable income do you need to have to be disqualified from legal aid in the Crown Court?
£37,500
What is and how do you get a practice quality mark?
It ensures certain standards of business practice, client care, case management and contract compliance.
You can get them through Specialist Quality Mark or Lexcel.
Why do you need a practice quality mark?
Your firm need one to get a Standard Crime Contract with the LAA.