Duty Solicitor vs Police Station Representative

HomeResourcesDuty Solicitor vs RepComparison GuideDuty Solicitor vs Police Station RepresentativeUnderstanding the key differences between duty solicitors and accredited representatives - qualifications, roles, and how they work together in criminal defence.ContentsSide-by-Side ComparisonWhat is a Duty Solicitor?What is an Accredited Representative?How They Work TogetherWhich Career Path?Frequently Asked QuestionsReferencesThe Key DifferenceAt the police station, both duty solicitors and accredited representatives provide the same service - full legal advice and representation to detained suspects. The main differences are in qualification route, scope of work (solicitors can do court work), and duty rota access (only solicitors can be on the duty scheme directly).Side-by-Side ComparisonAspectDuty SolicitorAccredited RepQualificationLaw degree + LPC/SQE + training contract + PSQPSRAS accreditation (training course + portfolio + CIT)Regulate BySRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority)Law Society (PSRAS scheme)Police Station AdviceFull representationFull representationDuty Solicitor RotaCan be on duty rotaCannot be on duty rota directlyCourt RepresentationCan represent in Magistrates' CourtCannot represent in courtHigher CourtsCan instruct counsel / obtain HCANo court workTime to Qualify5-7+ years typically6-18 months typicallyEmployment ModelEmployed or partner at firmUsually freelance/self-employedWhat is a Duty Solicitor?A duty solicitor is a fully qualified solicitor who has additional registration to provide free legal advice to suspects detained at police stations through the Legal Aid scheme.[1]According to the 2025 Standard Crime Contract, they must:[2]Either hold CLAS (Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme) or be a previous member of a Duty Scheme under a previous ContractMeet professional development requirementsUndertake a minimum of 6 Police Station Advice and Assistance cases in each rolling 12-month periodUndertake at least 20 magistrates' court representations (or 10 magistrates' + 5 Crown Court) per rolling 12-month periodWork for a firm with a Crime ContractDuty solicitors are placed on a rota for their local area. When a suspect requests the "duty solicitor" (rather than naming their own solicitor), the DSCC contacts whoever is on duty for that time slot.What is an Accredited Representative?An accredited police station representative is a non-solicitor who has qualified through the Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS). They can provide the same advice at the police station as a solicitor, but:Cannot be on the duty solicitor rota directlyCannot represent clients in courtWork for solicitors' firms (usually as freelancers)Accredited representatives are essential to the criminal justice system - they allow firms to provide coverage across more police stations and times than would be possible with solicitors alone.How They Work TogetherIn practice, duty solicitors and accredited representatives work as a team:The duty solicitor receives the call and assesses the caseFor straightforward matters, they may send an accredited rep to attendFor complex cases, the solicitor may attend themselvesSome firms use reps for most attendances to manage workloadThe solicitor retains overall responsibility for the advice givenWhich Career Path?Become a Solicitor If:• You want to do court work as well as police stations• You want to be on the duty rota directly• You have time for 5-7+ years of training• You want to potentially run your own firm• You want broader career options in lawBecome a Rep If:• You want to focus specifically on police station work• You want to start working in 6-18 months• You prefer freelance/flexible working• You're looking for a career change without full retraining• You want to test if criminal defence suits youFrequently Asked QuestionsDoes the suspect get worse advice from a rep than a solicitor?No. At the police station, accredited representatives are trained to provide the same standard of advice as solicitors. They must pass rigorous assessment and are subject to quality standards. Many reps have decades of experience and specialise in police station work.Can a rep become a solicitor later?Yes, though they would need to complete the full solicitor qualification (law degree or equivalent, LPC/SQE, training). Some reps use their experience as a stepping stone, while others prefer to remain specialists in police station work.Why do firms use representatives instead of solicitors?Representatives allow firms to provide broader coverage - attending more stations and times than would be possible with solicitors alone. It's an efficient way to deliver the service, and experienced reps often have excellent specialist knowledge.Can I request a solicitor instead of a rep?You can request your own named solicitor, but if they send a representative, that is their decision on how to deliver the service. For duty solicitor cases, you cannot insist on a solicitor rather than a rep - the duty solicitor decides who attends.Interested in Criminal Defence?Whether you want to become a solicitor or representative, we have resources to help.How to Become a Rep Browse Rep DirectoryReferencesDuty Solicitors: Rotas, Information and Guidance - GOV.UK2025 Standard Crime Contract Specification, Part B, para 9.56-9.70 - GOV.UKSRA: Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme - SRAArticle Ref: DSVR-20251125-B2C3D4E5 Written by Robert Cashman, Court and Police Station Duty Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate. Revised by Robert Cashman on 28th November 2025.© 2026 PoliceStationRepUK.com. All rights reserved.