Key takeaways
- Most freelance police station reps are paid per attendance, not a flat day-rate, because firms claim under fixed Legal Aid Agency fees.
- Your rate should reflect travel, time of day, complexity, and reliability.
- Agree the basis of charge in writing with each firm before you accept cover, and keep your directory listing current.
Day-rate vs per attendance
A true “day-rate” is uncommon in police station agency work. Because firms claim most police station attendances under fixed fees set by the Legal Aid Agency, the prevailing model is a per-attendance fee rather than a daily figure. That keeps your charging aligned with how the firm itself is paid.
Some reps quote a day-rate for blocks of private work or planned voluntary interviews, but the per-attendance approach is the norm. Whatever model you use, be transparent and agree it before you turn up.
What drives your rate
Several factors legitimately move your price up or down:
- Geography and travel time — distance to the custody suite and dead time between jobs.
- Out-of-hours and weekend premiums — nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
- Complexity — serious or multi-suspect matters, vulnerable clients, or long interviews.
- Volume and reliability — the consistency you offer a firm over time.
- Accreditation and experience — firms value reps who turn up promptly and produce clean notes.
Reliability and good notes let you command the upper end of the range and win repeat instructions. For a wider view of the market, see our guide to police station rep fee rates in 2026.
Building a simple fee schedule
Firms want to say yes quickly. A clear schedule removes friction:
- Per-attendance fee for a standard custody attendance.
- Travel — mileage or a banded travel charge for distant suites.
- Unsocial-hours uplift — a defined premium for nights and weekends.
- Attendance-note turnaround — when the firm receives your note.
Keep it short. A one-page schedule a fee-earner can read in thirty seconds is worth more than a complicated tariff.
Quoting firms with confidence
When you quote, lead with the value, not just the number: a trained representative who reviews disclosure, advises on whether to answer questions, and protects the client’s position. Then state your per-attendance fee, any travel or unsocial-hours uplift, and your note turnaround.
- Put the basis of charge in writing before the first instruction.
- Confirm VAT status if you are registered.
- Be clear about cancellation and aborted attendances.
A professional profile in the directory makes it easier for firms to find and trust your rate. List your counties, stations, and availability so the firm searching at 2am sees that you cover the suite and can quote on the spot.
Reliability is part of the price
The reps who hold the strongest rates are not necessarily the cheapest — they are the ones firms can depend on. Prompt attendance, contemporaneous notes, and quick report-back justify a higher fee far more than negotiation does. Pair this with a longer-term plan for your freelance rep career.
Cross-site tooling
Clean, structured attendance notes win repeat work and make your rate easier to justify. See CustodyNote for offline-first attendance notes built for police station work.
General professional information for England and Wales — not legal advice. Always follow your firm’s procedures, the SRA Standards and Regulations, and current Legal Aid Agency contract requirements.