DEFENCE SOLICITORS

Criminal defence solicitors are unable to carry out their duties because of on-going problems with the defence solicitor call centre (DSCC), the Law Society said. The Society has asked the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) to urgently clarify when the situation will be resolved and requested confirmation solicitors will be paid for work where they have been unable to obtain a DSCC reference number. The Society was responding to significant and widespread problems with the DSCC including engaged phone lines, lawyers and police unable to get through, lengthy delays and solicitors being sent to the wrong police station. Practitioners were advised to keep documentary records including detailed notes of attempts to contact the DCSS and of duty attendances to claim payment. 30 August 2019