PACE detention clock (pre-charge)
For solicitors and accredited representatives in England and Wales. Type the times from your own attendance note. This tool works out the relevant time under section 41, statutory detention limits, and section 40 review deadlines. It does not connect to police custody systems and it is not legal advice on whether a detention is lawful.
Terrorism detention, immigration detention, and post-charge detention are refused. Times must be in Europe/London — missing or repeated clock-change hours are refused rather than guessed. Sources last checked: 2026-10-05.
Worked example: arrival at the first station 15 June 2026 11:30 gives a 24-hour limit at 16 June 2026 11:30 (PACE s.41 relevant time). The first section 40 review is due within six hours of detention being first authorised (s.40(3)(a)), not six hours after arrival — so a first review by 18:00 on 15 June requires detention authorised at 12:00. If authorisation were at 11:30, the first review deadline would be 17:30.
First review is within 6 hours of this time, not arrival. Example: arrival 11:30 with authorisation at 12:00 → first review by 18:00.
Results (Europe/London)
- Relevant time
- 2026-06-15T11:30
- 24-hour limit
- 2026-06-16T11:30
- Effective release deadline
- 2026-06-16T11:30
- 96-hour maximum
- 2026-06-19T11:30
PACE s.41(2)(d): in the ordinary case the relevant time is arrival at the first police station after arrest. Arrest time is not the relevant time.
PACE s.41(1) and (7): without an extension, detention without charge must end 24 hours after the relevant time.
No hospital time has been excluded. PACE s.41(6): time in hospital, or travelling there or back, does not count towards PACE periods except time spent being questioned by a police officer for evidence. If that applies, enter the excluded minutes. This tool does not read a custody record.
Section 40 review deadlines
- Review 1by 2026-06-15T18:00(pending)
- Review 2by 2026-06-16T03:00(pending)
- Review 3by 2026-06-16T12:00(pending)
- Review 4by 2026-06-16T21:00(pending)
- Review 5by 2026-06-17T06:00(pending)
- Review 6by 2026-06-17T15:00(pending)
- Review 7by 2026-06-18T00:00(pending)
- Review 8by 2026-06-18T09:00(pending)
- Review 9by 2026-06-18T18:00(pending)
- Review 10by 2026-06-19T03:00(pending)
- Review 11by 2026-06-19T12:00(pending)
Pair this with the police station escape fee calculator, the fictional attendance notes gallery, and the attendance checklist.
Source register (England and Wales)
PACE Part IV and Code C references used by the shared calculation module (checked 5 October 2026).
| Document | Section / paragraph | Effective | Date checked | Rule supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 41 | s.41(1), (2)(a)-(d) and (ca), (5), (6), (7) and (8) | Revised text in force; s.41(2)(ca) from 20 January 2004 | 2026-10-05 | Relevant time variants, 24-hour limit, hospital time excluded except questioning |
| Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 40 | s.40(3), (4), (5) and (6) | Revised text in force | 2026-10-05 | First review within 6 hours of authorisation, then intervals of not more than 9 hours; postponement does not move the next deadline |
| Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 42 | s.42(1), (2) and (4) | Revised text in force | 2026-10-05 | Superintendent extension to 36 hours for an indictable offence, after the second review and within 24 hours of the relevant time |
| Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 43 | s.43(12) | Revised text in force | 2026-10-05 | Warrant of further detention not longer than 36 hours |
| Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 44 | s.44(3) | Revised text in force | 2026-10-05 | Warrant extension not longer than 36 hours and not later than 96 hours after the relevant time |
| PACE Code C 2023 (accessible), Home Office | Paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.2A and 15.13 | 20 December 2023 (Code C 2023 in force) | 2026-10-05 | Review duty is under s.40; extension from 24 to 36 hours is under s.42 after the second review; further detention only under ss.43–44; delay in a review must be recorded |