Duty Solicitors

Question 1

What do duty solicitors do in the police station?

Answer 1

• a person who has been arrested will be given free legal advice by a duty solicitor
• can be done over the phone if it’s a minor offence

Question 2

What do duty solicitors do at the magistrates court?

Answer 2

-give free legal advice to the defendant on their first court appearance after being charged with a criminal offence which carries a potential prison sentence

Question 3

How are duty solicitors funded?

Answer 3

-they are funded by the legal services commission

Question 4

What do duty solicitors do and what’s a disadvantage?

Answer 4

• give free legal advice
• in court advice isn’t available for minor offences
• criticised for giving an inferior service

Question 5

In what two places do duty solicitors work?

Answer 5

-police station and magistrates court