People to lose the right to see a solicitor in a police station
sl | 14.10.2007 15:36 | Repression
The government has announced that people arrested will no longer have the right to see a solictor in a police station. The new scheme (coming in February) will only allow people access to a call centre where trained non-soliciors will provide telephone advice. The firm that won the contract in London employs mainly ex police officers.
The government is rolling out Criminal Defence Services Direct to all of England and Wales from February. It's modelled on NHS Direct and is funded by the Legal Services Commission.
John Sirodcar of the Legal Services Commission told the BBC's Law in Action programme that it would "save around £4m of public money which could be reinvested in Legal Aid." Note the "could", and that £4m is not a great deal of money when spread across the entire country.
The BBC says that you won't be forced to use the callcentre if you need an interpreter, or you "accuse the police of serious mistreatment". Presumably the police will get to decide whether your allegation is serious enough.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7035533.stm is the Law in Action article.
John Sirodcar of the Legal Services Commission told the BBC's Law in Action programme that it would "save around £4m of public money which could be reinvested in Legal Aid." Note the "could", and that £4m is not a great deal of money when spread across the entire country.
The BBC says that you won't be forced to use the callcentre if you need an interpreter, or you "accuse the police of serious mistreatment". Presumably the police will get to decide whether your allegation is serious enough.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7035533.stm is the Law in Action article.
sl
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