Yes. In England and Wales you can ask for your own solicitor or a named firm instead of the duty solicitor. Say the name clearly to the custody officer. Police call the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC). The DSCC tries that firm first.
PoliceStationRepUK is a directory of accredited police station representatives. It is not a law firm and not the duty scheme.
Start here
You can request a named solicitor or firm at the police station. Custody contacts the DSCC; the DSCC rings that firm's emergency number. If your firm cannot attend, ask for the duty solicitor instead. Police station advice is free under legal aid. It isn’t means-tested.
How to ask for a named firm
When custody reads your rights, say you want legal advice and name the firm. Give a firm name, not a freelance rep. The DSCC routes the call to that firm's emergency line. Who attends — a solicitor or an accredited representative — is the firm's decision.
Do this before interview starts. You can change your mind if you first said no.
If your own firm is unavailable
No answer, out of area, or cannot attend promptly? Tell custody you want the duty solicitor. That is the national fallback. How free duty advice works is covered in our duty solicitor at the police station guide — this post is only about choosing a named firm.
Is own-solicitor advice free?
Yes. Police station advice is free under legal aid, the same as with the duty solicitor, and it isn’t means-tested. You should not be asked to pay at the station. Private charging after release is a separate matter between you and the firm.
Firms needing overflow cover
Need accredited reps when your own team is stretched? Use the directory, not public “find a solicitor” search.
- Directory: https://policestationrepuk.org/directory
- Firm cover: https://policestationrepuk.org/PoliceStationCover
General information only. Not legal advice. If you need advice now, ask custody for a named solicitor or the duty solicitor. Applies to England and Wales.