Press Release

Public Defender Service Research and Annual Report 2005/06

Monday 8 January 2007

The Public Defender Service (PDS) provides a better quality of service than private practice according to independent research published today. This finding is based on one of the largest and most detailed peer review evaluations of criminal defence services ever conducted.

In addition the research states that providing criminal advice services through an organisation directly employed by the state has no negative impact on the independence of the advice and representation provided to clients

The research was carried out by a team headed by Professors Lee Bridges of the University of Warwick and Avrom Sherr of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London. It was based on an analysis of the PDS during its first three years of operation, from 2001 to 2004. It showed that during this start-up period, when the PDS was building up its caseload, it had higher costs than other criminal defence providers in the same areas.

The PDS annual report 2005/06 also published today shows that the service has become more efficient since the research was carried out. It also shows the most successful PDS offices are in areas such as Cheltenham with limited supply and can add value by filling gaps in the market.

Gaynor Ogden, Head of Employed Services at the Legal Services Commission said:

"I welcome the findings of the research which shows that Public Defender Service has become an example of a good quality criminal defence supplier and has a lot to offer the Legal Services Commission as a test bed of service delivery and a role in informing policy.

"The research report is based on data collected early in the life of the PDS and we have come a long way since then in terms of growth, quality and cost. We have introduced a new management structure which has bought focus to performance and we have introduced innovative methods of delivery including developing our in-house higher court advocates.

"We now have an opportunity to make firm plans about the future of the PDS and how we can best offer quality, value-for-money services to clients. We expect to make an announcement about the future shape of the PDS soon."

Legal Aid Minister, Vera Baird added:

"This research shows very clearly that the PDS is independent and gives robust advice: public defenders advise people not to speak in police station interviews more frequently than private solicitors; and more PDS defendants than private solicitor defendants enter early guilty pleas, yet the PDS has an equivalent client conviction rate, thus sparing their victims further trauma. Clearly the PDS has a future."

ENDS

Media information

Dan Kellingley Tel: 020 7759 0415

Notes to editors

The White Paper, Modernising Justice (December 1998), announced the Government’s intention that a proportion of Criminal Defence Services in England and Wales should be provided by lawyers directly employed by the Legal Services Commission.
The Public Defender Service (PDS) was set up in 2001 as the first salaried criminal defence service provider in England and Wales.
Gaynor Ogden, Head of Employed Services, is available for interview to discuss the Annual Report and the future direction of the PDS. Lee Bridges, one of the directors of the research team, is also available for interview and can be contacted at the University of Warwick (02476 523215) or alternatively on one of the following numbers (01608 682327 or 0777 6182547).
Copies of the research can be downloaded from the PDS pages on this website. A printed version of the report will soon be available through The Stationary Office.
Copies of the PDS Annual Report 2005/06 can be downloaded from the PDS pages on this website.

Last updated: 08 January 2007