Criminal Defence File Review Checklist
Product editorial team — criminal defence workflow guidance for England and Wales. Content reviewed for general professional workflow accuracy; not legal advice.
A structured file review helps firms spot gaps before audit, complaint, or court. Use this checklist when reviewing police station attendance notes — for professional workflow, not as legal advice.
Disclaimer: Firms set their own supervision standards. This list does not guarantee audit or regulatory outcomes.
Attendance note completeness
- Client identity, attendance type, time on site, instructing firm.
- Custody reference / station / OIC where relevant.
- Disclosure summarised with substance — not boilerplate only.
- Client instructions recorded in the client's own words where possible.
- Advice given before and after interview (and at key decision points).
- Interview: topics, interventions, no-comment or answers approach.
- Outcome: NFA, charge, bail, RUI — with conditions and dates.
- Follow-up: firm notified, diaries, disclosure requests.
Billing and administration
- Time recording consistent with attendance.
- Fee type / claim reference if legal aid.
- Disbursements or travel if applicable.
- PDF or firm CMS upload completed.
Supervision points
- Vulnerable client / appropriate adult / language issues flagged.
- Conflict checks documented where required.
- Any PACE or custody welfare issues noted.
For common errors, see common attendance note mistakes. Custody Note is designed to support consistent structure across these sections; it does not guarantee any audit or review result.
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