Community Forum for Police Station Representatives
Criminal Defence Network UK – Reps, Solicitors & Advocates on Facebook — industry updates and peer chat for criminal defence professionals across England & Wales.
Not fully qualified yet?
Not fully qualified yet, or looking for peer chat and industry updates? Join Criminal Defence Network UK on Facebook — trainees and professionals welcome. Cover work and job posts belong on the verified WhatsApp group via policestationrepuk.org. See also the community forum page. The WhatsApp group and reps directory are for fully accredited professionals only — proof is required and checks are undertaken before you are added. If you are not fully accredited, instructing firms cannot claim legal aid for your police station attendance and you will not be paid for that work. Do not join the WhatsApp group or list in the directory expecting paid cover requests.
Cover work and job posts — not on Facebook
Criminal Defence Network UK on Facebook is not for cover work, job adverts, availability posts, or contact details. Those posts are removed. For urgent police station or court cover, criminal defence firms and fully accredited reps use the verified WhatsApp group on policestationrepuk.org — proof of accreditation is required before you are added.
Who should use which channel?
Criminal Defence Network UK (Facebook)
Police station reps, criminal defence solicitors and firms, advocates, and trainees working towards accreditation.
For police station reps, criminal defence solicitors and firms, advocates, and others in criminal defence across England & Wales — not for members of the public seeking legal advice. PACE and Codes updates, legal aid and fee changes, CPD and training, practical police station tips, and links to new articles. Not for cover work, job adverts, availability posts, or sharing contact details. For urgent cover, use the verified WhatsApp group — reps join only after verification on policestationrepuk.org.
WhatsApp group
Fully accredited police station reps and verified criminal defence firms/solicitors only.
Fully accredited police station reps only (PSRAS, LCCSA, CLSA or equivalent). You must be fully qualified — not in training or probationary-only. We ask for proof of accreditation and may verify against the Police Station Register or your supervising firm. Requests without adequate proof are declined. If you are not fully accredited, instructing firms cannot claim legal aid for your police station attendance and you will not be paid for that work. Do not join the WhatsApp group or list in the directory expecting paid cover requests.
Reps directory
Fully accredited reps, duty solicitors and solicitors with verifiable credentials.
The same rule applies to the reps directory — do not register or add your details unless you are fully accredited. Probationary representatives, trainees and unaccredited applicants are not eligible.
Criminal Defence Network UK – Reps, Solicitors & Advocates
For police station reps, criminal defence solicitors and firms, advocates, and others in criminal defence across England & Wales — not for members of the public seeking legal advice. PACE and Codes updates, legal aid and fee changes, CPD and training, practical police station tips, and links to new articles.
Not for cover work, job adverts, availability posts, or sharing contact details. For urgent cover, use the verified WhatsApp group — reps join only after verification on policestationrepuk.org.
The group is private on Facebook. When you apply, answer three questions: your role, the areas you cover, and that you agree to confidentiality. An admin approves each request.
Join the Facebook groupWhatsApp — professional group only
The PoliceStationRepUK WhatsApp group is for fully accredited reps and verified criminal defence firms. Criminal practices can also post in the group asking for police station and court cover. Proof of accreditation is required; unverified requests are declined. Reps join only after verification on policestationrepuk.org.
If you are not fully accredited, instructing firms cannot claim legal aid for your police station attendance and you will not be paid for that work. Do not join the WhatsApp group or list in the directory expecting paid cover requests.
WhatsApp join guide →Need help joining?
Criminal Defence Network UK on Facebook is where professionals share legal updates and peer chat. WhatsApp is separate: reps and firms join only after verification on policestationrepuk.org.
- Facebook group: log into Facebook first, then use Join the Facebook group on this page. The group is private on Facebook. When you apply, answer three questions: your role, the areas you cover, and that you agree to confidentiality. An admin approves each request. We cannot approve Facebook memberships from this site.
- Not fully accredited? use the Facebook group for updates and peer chat — do not apply for WhatsApp until you are fully qualified.
- WhatsApp invite not received? see the WhatsApp join guide and email robertcashman@defencelegalservices.co.uk with proof of full accreditation.
- Directory or website issue? Help & FAQ, Contact, or email support.
What the community offers
Urgent cover (WhatsApp only)
Criminal practices post police station and court cover in the verified WhatsApp group on policestationrepuk.org — not on Facebook.
Peer support & advice
Discuss practice issues (anonymised), share strategies, and ask questions in the Facebook group — including trainees.
Legal updates & news
PACE and Codes changes, legal aid and fee updates, sentencing policy, and criminal justice news shared by the community.
Career development
CPD, training opportunities, accreditation tips, and building your practice in criminal defence.
Articles & resources
Links to new guides and articles from across the sector — practical police station tips and reference material.
Professional standards
Confidentiality and professional conduct — cover work, job adverts, and availability posts stay off Facebook.
Fully accredited and ready to list?
If you're a fully accredited police station representative, register on our directory — free and verified. Do not register unless you meet the eligibility criteria.
Register as rep →