CDS News

We have more information with dates for the Q&A sessions which our regional offices are holding regarding the application process for new criminal contracts.

During the sessions we will be happy to answer questions on the:

• current General Criminal Contract
• current Duty Solicitor Schemes in the local area
• changes we are introducing
• application process for the new General Criminal Contract, which takes effect from 14 January 2008.

We will not be able to:

• answer questions about the allocation of duty solicitor slots
• give any individual advice to firms at these sessions.

All (new) questions and answers raised at the face to face sessions and by any form of correspondence will be collated and logged on the Q&A document on the CDS>Tenders>General Criminal Contracts page. This ensures that the same information is available to all applicants.

It may be the case that your query can be dealt with by by telephone, fax or e-mail so that you do not need to attend a session. Please consider this option and telephone or e-mail your Account Manager or Regional Crime Lead who will be happy to help.

If you do wish to attend a session, please e-mail details of the name of the attendee and which session they would like to attend. Places will be limited to one person per firm.

In order to ensure that all potential applicants have equal access to information, we will publish the answers to any additional questions by updating the Q&A document on the CDS>Tenders>General Criminal Contracts page.