Duty solicitors are called to police stations to advise and assist people who would otherwise have no legal representation. Duty solicitors also provide advocacy services at Magistrates' Courts on a rota basis, assisting people who do not have their own legal representatives.

You must satisfactorily complete two assessments: portfolio, and interview and advocacy.

The Process

The portfolio assessment comprises 25 case reports of your work at the Magistrates' Courts. 20 cases should be covered by short-note reports demonstrating the range of your experience. Five cases should be explained in detailed reports showing the quality of your work at court.

The interview and advocacy assessment is a two-part live role-play. In part one, you interview an actor playing the part of a client at the Magistrates' Court who has no representation. You must make representations and/or submissions in respect of three cases. One of these will be the case of your client from part one.

The other two cases will be supplied to you in written form after the interview. You will be given some time in which to prepare yourself before the advocacy stage.