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   * Cheltenham
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   * Assisting Courts
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DEFENDING YOU WHEN IT COUNTS

Our committed team of criminal defence advocates and solicitors specialises in
providing first-class, high quality representation in both legally aided funded
criminal cases, as well as regularly acting as Court Appointed Advocates. In
addition to legally aided cases, our Advocacy Team is also able to take on
privately funded work.

The Independence of the Public Defender Service (PDS) is guaranteed by law,
leaving us unrestricted in seeking to secure access to justice for our clients.
Accordingly, our team is not profit driven but resolutely focused on the people
we represent. As a result of our wide experience of and involvement in the
criminal justice system we are able to provide advice and guidance to policy
makers and to act as a ‘test bed’, assisting with vital benchmarking and policy
initiatives’




OUR ADVOCATES

A criminal case in the Crown Court?

Our experienced defence advocates provide a wholly independent, high quality
service to legal aid solicitors and their clients across England and Wales.

Our defence lawyers, including silks, specialist high court barristers and
solicitor advocates, provide quality representation for all types of criminal
cases, including:

 * Murder, manslaughter and serious violent crime
 * Rape and serious sexual offences, including prosecutions by RASSO and
   historic sex cases
 * Drugs cases, including County Lines and Modern Slavery cases
 * Fraud and white collar crime
 * Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA cases)
 * Military and Court Martial
 * Prison law
 * Modern slavery and human trafficking
 * Offences involving violence and public order

Instruct us


OUR SOLICITORS

Arrested, accused of a crime, or asked to attend a voluntary interview at the
police station? We can help.

The Public Defender Service provides high quality, free legal advice,
assistance, and representation at the police station and for those eligible for
criminal legal aid at court.

Contact one of our four solicitors’ offices to speak to our team if you or a
loved one needs our help in:

 * Cheltenham and Gloucestershire
 * Darlington, County Durham and the North East
 * Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd, South Wales and West Wales
 * Swansea, South Wales and West Wales

Contact us


HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ELIGIBLE FOR CRIMINAL LEGAL AID?


Learn about legal aid eligibility


WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN ALL AREAS OF CRIMINAL DEFENCE


PAROLE BOARD HEARINGS AND PRISON LAW MATTERS

Our prison law specialists provide advice to prisoners throughout their
sentence. 

We can help with Parole Board Reviews, Licence Recalls, Independent
Adjudications and Sentence Calculations.


HIGHLY COMPLEX CASES, INCLUDING MURDER AND FRAUD

We represent clients in cases involving murder, manslaughter and serious
violence, serious sexual offences and terrorism.

Our Confiscation Group specialises in cases involving money laundering, POCA,
fraud and the EncroChat hack.


AUTISM, MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABLED DEFENDANTS

We are a leading defence practice for clients with autism, learning
difficulties, neurodiverse conditions and cases under Section 38 of the Mental
Health Act.


WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE PDS

 * We are an independent, client-focused organisation
 * We only defend clients who receive criminal legal aid
 * We can help you in the police station, at court and on appeal
 * We offer expertise in both military law and non-police prosecutions
 * Our caseload ranges from general crime to complex cases
 * We specialise in working with vulnerable clients and youths


LATEST NEWS AND INSIGHTS

Reduction in sentence for cooperating with the Police
8 May
Qualifying curfew – Tag never fitted – Time still counts
8 May
Sentencing adults for crimes committed when under 18
8 May


FEATURED NEWS

Your client, intermediaries and ‘invisible’ Autism
Here’s a question that we regularly deal with as solicitors or advocates: is it
possible my client needs an intermediary?
22 November 2021
Read full article


OUR CLIENT-CENTRED APPROACH

At the PDS, we are focused on listening and assessing the evidence objectively
so that we can protect your rights and offer you tailored legal advice on what
best to do next.

We believe in putting your defence first and ensuring your voice is heard.

Why choose the Public Defender Service

Careers at the PDS

I am proud to be the Head of the PDS. The PDS provides a seamless and complete
criminal defence service where the client always comes first. As a team of
dedicated professionals we work as one, ensuring everyone and everything we do
is focused on our clients
Malcolm Bryant, Head of the PDS


INSTRUCT AN ADVOCATE OR SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR SOLICITOR TEAMS


Contact us




SUPPORT LINKS

 * Privacy policy
 * Accessibility statement
 * Feedback & complaints
 * Equality and diversity policy
 * Contact us
 * Careers at the PDS

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