Advice and assistance when acting as court duty solicitor

You cannot charge separately under advice and assistance for any work that forms part of the services required of a court duty solicitor including:

  • Meetings
  • Correspondence
  • Telephone conversations etc. arising in connection with the follow-up duties

Advice and assistance cannot be provided at a time when the client is receiving legal aid in connection with court proceedings [section 7(2) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986].

Responsibilities and obligations of the court duty solicitor and the relationship with the nominated solicitor

In this section

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Our obligation to make a court duty solicitor available

Read information about our court duty solicitor arrangements.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Identification parades and purposes for which a court duty solicitor must be available in solemn and summary procedures

Find out what the obligations are for duty solicitors to attend identification parades and those prosecuted under solemn or summary procedure.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Continuity of representation outwith your period of court duty

Find out why it can sometimes be beneficial for you to continue to act outwith their period of court duty.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Circumstances in summary custody cases when only the court duty solicitor may give legal aid

Find out when only the Court duty solicitors can provide criminal legal aid.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Criminal court duty plans, eligibility criteria and consultation with local faculties

Find out what the court duty plans cover, their eligibility criteria and how we consult on them.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Delegating or exchanging court duty work

Learn about how court duty solicitors delegate attendances to other solicitors.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Solicitors’ fees for Identification Parades, Judicial Examinations and Duty Scheme

Learn about the payment arrangements if you are acting as the court duty solicitor.

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Appointed solicitors, duty solicitor/half fee, prevaricating witness

Learn about arrangements for appointed solicitors, duty solicitor/half fee, prevaricating witness

Court duty solicitor arrangements

Responsibilities and obligations of the court duty solicitor and the relationship with the nominated solicitor

Read about the responsibilities of the court duty solicitor and how you should assist a prospective nominated solicitor.