The third edition of this highly successful book provides criminal practitioners with the most up-to-date information needed for day-to-day practice. This handbook covers all aspects of the duty solicitor’s role, offering invaluable information and guidance on practice and procedure. It addresses common issues arising in relation to the main procedures encountered in the magistrates’ court and police station. Conveniently portable and straightforward, the book also provides detailed non-statutory materials to support the main analysis, criminal defence definitions, and examination of the sentencing options open to the court. The new PACE Codes of Practice in from force 1 January 2006 are reproduced in full. The content has been completely revised in light of the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act, the newly consolidated Criminal Procedure Rules, with key changes to the following: allocation and mode of trial; hearsay and bad character provisions; sentencing, including dangerous offenders; new offences; evidence, and disclosure.

Recommended by the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, the text is essential reading for anyone wanting to obtain or retain duty solicitor status under the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme, and is particularly suited for those duty solicitors facing reaccreditation.