Public Defender Service (PDS)

On this page:

What is the PDS?
Working for the PDS

What is the PDS?

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is the first salaried criminal provider in England and Wales.

There are currently four PDS offices:

Cheltenham
Darlington
Pontypridd
Swansea.

The LSC directly employs the PDS staff of solicitors, accredited representatives and administrators.

The PDS provides independent advice, assistance and representation on criminal matters.

Working for the PDS

PDS lawyers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to:

give advice to people in custody
represent clients in magistrates’, crown and higher courts where necessary.

The PDS Code of Conduct is under Related Documents. All PDS employees must observe it to ensure independence from the LSC concerning the direct provision of legal services.

Current vacancies in the PDS are in the Recruitment section.

>back to top

Last updated: 26 October 2007