UK Criminal Defence Glossary
Clear definitions of terms used in police station attendance notes, PACE custody work, and legal aid billing, written for solicitors and accredited representatives in England and Wales.
These glossary entries explain professional vocabulary in context, not as legal advice. Each term links to a fuller page with FAQs and related guides. For workflow articles, see the blog or scenario guides.
What Is an Attendance Note?
The contemporaneous record of a solicitor's work during a client attendance: definition, purpose, and what to include.
What Is a Custody Record?
The police record of detention under PACE: how it differs from your attendance note and what to cross-check.
What Is a PACE Interview?
Formal interview under caution in custody: timing, caution, breaks, and the representative's role.
What Is Voluntary Attendance?
Attending a police station without arrest: section 29 voluntary interview and how note-taking differs.
What Is a Legal Aid Attendance Note?
Attendance notes that support LAA billing claims: the fields assessors expect and common rejection reasons.
What Is a Police Station Representative?
Accredited reps who attend on behalf of firms: role, accreditation, and record-keeping expectations.
What Is a Duty Solicitor?
Rota solicitors covering police station call-outs: how duty work differs from own-client attendances.
What Is Disclosure in a Police Interview?
Initial and further disclosure before interview: what to record and how it shapes advice.
What Is a No Comment Interview?
When the client answers no comment: adverse inference, what your note must show, and PACE safeguards.
Time Recording for Legal Aid
Six-minute units, activity breakdown, and why time records must match your attendance narrative.