A significant change is about to occur in relation to the operation of the long standing Duty Solicitor Scheme in Glasgow.
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As of Friday 4th February 2011 all accused persons arrested within the Glasgow area, who do not have their own solicitor, will be provided with the services of a Solicitor from the Public Defence Solicitors Office (PDSO). The scheme will operate specifically at weekends and relate to all Summary and Petition offences committed with the Glasgow jurisdiction. The PDSO is a service set up via a collaboration of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).
In the past Solicitors in private practice assisted in the operation of a “Duty Solicitor” scheme. Often this would result in Solicitors taking one week per year to assist accused persons in custody who had not previously instructed a Solicitor.
The new procedures will lead to many questions including issues relating to access to justice and issues arising out the rights of an accused person to choose or nominate their own Solicitor.
Further information to follow…
