Our obligation to make a court duty solicitor available

We arrange for duty solicitors to be available for the purposes of providing legal aid or advice and assistance [section 31(8) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986].

We require to put in place administrative arrangements for such duty solicitors to be available, in each sheriff court district and JP court district, at all times throughout the year.

In general, this is to allow for the automatic availability of criminal legal aid [section 22 of the 1986 Act].

 

Identification parades and purposes for which a court duty solicitor must be available in solemn and summary procedures

In this section

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Identification parades and purposes for which a court duty solicitor must be available in solemn and summary procedures

Find out what the obligations are for duty solicitors to attend identification parades and those prosecuted under solemn or summary procedure.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Continuity of representation outwith your period of court duty

Find out why it can sometimes be beneficial for you to continue to act outwith their period of court duty.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Circumstances in summary custody cases when only the court duty solicitor may give legal aid

Find out when only the Court duty solicitors can provide criminal legal aid.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Criminal court duty plans, eligibility criteria and consultation with local faculties

Find out what the court duty plans cover, their eligibility criteria and how we consult on them.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Delegating or exchanging court duty work

Learn about how court duty solicitors delegate attendances to other solicitors.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Solicitors’ fees for Identification Parades, Judicial Examinations and Duty Scheme

Learn about the payment arrangements if you are acting as the court duty solicitor.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Appointed solicitors, duty solicitor/half fee, prevaricating witness

Learn about arrangements for appointed solicitors, duty solicitor/half fee, prevaricating witness

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Responsibilities and obligations of the court duty solicitor and the relationship with the nominated solicitor

Read about the responsibilities of the court duty solicitor and how you should assist a prospective nominated solicitor.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Advice and assistance when acting as court duty solicitor

Find out if advice and assistance be provided as well as a court duty claim.