See CustodyNote in Action

CustodyNote creates structured, defensible police station attendance notes in minutes. Watch how it works — from opening a new custody attendance through to exporting a PDF ready for your file or LAA billing.

The best way to understand CustodyNote is to see the workflow from start to finish. Below is a walkthrough of a typical PACE custody attendance, showing how the software guides you through each section of the attendance note, captures billing data as you go, and produces a professional PDF at the end.

What the demo shows

The walkthrough covers a complete PACE custody attendance — the most common type of police station work for solicitors and accredited representatives. It demonstrates how CustodyNote handles each stage of the attendance, from the initial instruction through to the exported document. This is the same workflow you would use on a real duty attendance at any custody suite in England and Wales.

Step 1: Receiving the instruction

The attendance begins when you receive a call — from the DSCC, an instructing firm, or a private client. In CustodyNote, you create a new record and select the attendance type: PACE custody, voluntary interview, or telephone advice. The software opens the appropriate structured template with all the sections you will need.

You enter the initial details: client name, date of birth, custody suite, custody record number, DSCC reference (if applicable), instructing solicitor or firm, and the alleged offence. These fields appear at the top of the record and carry through to the PDF export.

Step 2: Travel and arrival

Time recording starts from when you receive the instruction. CustodyNote captures travel time, mileage, and arrival time at the station. These fields feed directly into the billing section, so you are not reconstructing travel details from memory after the event.

Step 3: Disclosure and preparation

At the station, you review disclosure from the investigating officer. CustodyNote provides a dedicated disclosure section where you record what was disclosed, by whom, whether it was oral or written, and your assessment of its sufficiency. This section is critical — it captures the basis on which you advise the client and plan interview strategy.

Next, you conduct a private consultation with the client. The consultation section records the advice given, the agreed interview strategy (full account, no comment, prepared statement), any fitness for interview concerns, and the time spent in consultation.

Step 4: The interview

The interview section is the centrepiece of the attendance note. CustodyNote captures:

• Interview start and end times
• Officers present and recording method
• Key areas of questioning
• The client's approach (full account, no comment, prepared statement read)
• Your interventions — objections to improper questions, representations, requests for breaks
• Break times and reasons
• Any welfare concerns or significant statements

You can enter notes during the interview itself — the offline capability means there is no lag or connectivity dependency. Everything is saved locally as you type.

Step 5: Outcome and post-interview advice

After the interview, you record the outcome: charge, NFA, bail (pre-charge bail under s.47ZA PACE), or release under investigation. CustodyNote prompts you for bail conditions, next court date (if charged), and any further action anticipated. You also record the post-interview advice given to the client and the departure time.

Step 6: PDF export

With the attendance complete, you export the record as a PDF. The export produces a professional, formatted attendance note that includes every section you completed: client details, disclosure, consultation, interview, outcome, and time recording. The PDF is generated locally on your machine — no internet connection required.

The exported document is ready to attach to an email to the instructing firm, upload to a case management portal, or save to your file. The format is consistent across every attendance, regardless of which station you visited or which firm instructed you.

Step 7: Billing data

Throughout the attendance, CustodyNote has been capturing billing-relevant data: travel time, waiting time, attendance time, consultation time, and claim type. This data is available in the PDF export and in the application for review. For firms submitting Legal Aid claims, the structured billing data supports accurate submissions without requiring a separate time-recording exercise.

Key features highlighted in the demo

• Structured templates — section-by-section guidance through the attendance, ensuring nothing is missed
• Offline-first — every feature works without an internet connection, as demonstrated throughout the walkthrough
• AES-256 encryption — client data is encrypted at rest on your laptop, protecting sensitive information
• Instant PDF export — a professional attendance note generated locally in seconds
• Integrated time recording — billing data captured alongside the substantive record, not as a separate exercise
• Multiple attendance types — PACE custody, voluntary interviews, and telephone advice each have tailored templates
• Email templates — pre-built templates for disclosure requests, bail confirmations, and officer correspondence
• Quick Capture — log incoming instructions instantly before creating a full attendance record

Try it yourself

A demo shows you the workflow, but the best way to evaluate CustodyNote is to use it on a real attendance. The free trial includes full functionality for 30 days — no credit card, no feature restrictions.

Start your free 30-day trial or download CustodyNote directly. For step-by-step guides on specific features, see tutorials and demos. For pricing after the trial, see pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What operating system does CustodyNote require?

CustodyNote runs on Windows 10 or later (64-bit). It does not run on Mac, Linux, or mobile devices. It is a desktop application installed directly on your laptop or workstation.

How long does the free trial last?

The free trial is 30 days with full functionality. No credit card is required to start. After the trial, you can subscribe to continue using CustodyNote at the current pricing.

Can I import existing attendance notes into CustodyNote?

CustodyNote is designed for creating new structured attendance notes. Existing notes in Word or paper format are not importable, but you can begin using CustodyNote for new attendances immediately alongside your existing records.

Is the demo based on a real attendance?

The walkthrough uses a realistic PACE custody attendance scenario with fictional details. The workflow, sections, and export shown are identical to what you would use on a real matter.

Where can I find more detailed guidance on using CustodyNote?

The tutorials and demos page has topic-by-topic guides. For background on attendance note best practice, see police station attendance notes (UK guide).