The purpose of the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) is to ensure access for individuals involved in criminal investigations or criminal proceedings to such advice, assistance and representation as the interests of justice require.
The services provided by the CDS will -
ensure that the government meets its statutory and international obligations which provide that -
people arrested and held in custody have the right to consult a solicitor privately at any time; and
a defendant has a right to defend himself in person, or through legal assistance of his own choosing, or; if he has not sufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require.
help ensure that suspects and defendants receive a fair hearing at each stage in the criminal justice process; and in particular that they can state their case on an equal footing with the prosecution.
protect the interests of the suspect or defendant, for example by making the prosecution prove its case; or advising the defendant to enter an early guilty plea, if that is appropriate.
maintain the suspect's or defendant's confidence in the system, and facilitate his or her effective participation in the process.
The Legal Services Commission (Legal Aid Board to April 2000), which has responsibility for establishing and managing the CDS, has the following objectives -
to ensure that eligible individuals have access to appropriate CDS services - including at police stations and in magistrates' courts.
to ensure that the services provided on its behalf - whether by contracted private practice suppliers or salaried defenders - are of appropriate quality, and that their quality improves over time.
to ensure effective control over CDS expenditure, and progressively improve the value for money of the criminal defence services it provides and purchases.
to ensure that the CDS contributes fully to achieving the overall Criminal Justice System (CJS) strategic plan, including by working with the other CJS agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system as a whole.