Frequently Asked Questions

A police station representative (or "rep") is an accredited legal professional who attends police stations on behalf of criminal defence solicitor firms to advise and assist suspects during police interviews. They must hold accreditation through the Law Society or a recognised body, and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

To become an accredited police station representative you typically need to: (1) hold a law degree or equivalent, (2) complete the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) through the Law Society, (3) pass the relevant portfolio assessments, and (4) be employed by or associated with an SRA-regulated firm. See our full guide on becoming a rep for step-by-step guidance.

Successful police station reps tend to be calm under pressure, excellent communicators, and highly organised. You will often be called out at short notice (including nights and weekends), so reliability and flexibility are essential. Attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of PACE and the Codes of Practice are critical.

The most effective routes to freelance work are: (1) registering on PoliceStationRepUK so firms can find you instantly, (2) joining our WhatsApp group where firms post urgent cover requests, (3) networking directly with criminal defence firms in your area, and (4) registering with the DSCC (Defence Solicitor Call Centre) duty rota. See our Get Work guide for a full strategy.

No — registration is completely free. There are no subscriptions, no hidden costs, and no commission on the work you receive. Creating and maintaining your profile on PoliceStationRepUK will always be free.

Our WhatsApp group is restricted to accredited police station representatives only. To join, you must provide proof of accreditation (LCCSA or CLSA membership, or Law Society accreditation). Once verified, you'll receive urgent cover requests from solicitor firms posted in real time. Join via the WhatsApp page.

PoliceStationRepUK is operated by Defence Legal Services Ltd, an independent directory service. We are not affiliated with The Law Society, SRA, LCCSA, CLSA, the Legal Ombudsman, any UK police force, or any government body. We cannot provide legal advice or access case management systems.

A Featured Listing gives your profile priority placement at the top of all search results, making you more visible to solicitor firms seeking cover. Featured listings are available for a small annual fee. See the Go Featured page for current pricing and availability.