Guidance

2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD)

Information for organisations interested in delivering Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) services from 4 May 2026.

• From: Legal Aid Agency
• Published: 16 July 2025
• Last updated: 26 August 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

CDD Amendment Notice - 26 August 2025

PDF, 106 KB, 1 page

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CDD Amendment Notice - 12 August 2025

PDF, 140 KB, 1 page

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CDD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

PDF, 220 KB, 5 pages

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CDD Application Guide

PDF, 629 KB, 39 pages

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CDD Historical Service Information

PDF, 58 KB, 2 pages

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CDD Procurement Specific Questionnaire Guidance

PDF, 147 KB, 6 pages

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CDD Quality Award Criteria Assessment Guidance

PDF, 201 KB, 13 pages

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Details

Latest Updates

26 August 2025 - Publication of a notice to amend the 2026 CDD Procurement Process

We have today issued an amendment notice to the 2026 CDD Procurement Process.

The notice can be found in the ‘documents’ section at the top of this page.

Applicants should download the latest version of the CDD Costs Breakdown Assessment Proforma from the e-Tendering System

Previous Updates

12 August 2025 - Publication of a notice to amend the 2026 CDD Procurement Process

We have today issued an amendment notice to the 2026 CDD Procurement Process.

The notice can be found in the ‘documents’ section at the top of this page.

Applicants should read the latest version of the Criminal Defence Direct Contract 2026: Standard Terms

6 August 2025 - Publication of the Procurement of Criminal Defence Direct Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have today published the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document relating to the Procurement of Criminal Defence Direct Services from 4 May 2026.

The FAQ can be found in the ‘documents’ section at the top of this page.

The deadline for submitting a tender through this procurement process is 17:00 on 28 August 2025.

16 July 2025 - Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) tender opens

Today the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is inviting tenders for two new CDD Contracts to deliver 24/7 telephone-based legal advice from 4 May 2026. These services support individuals detained at police stations in England and Wales for non-indictable offences.

Key Dates

• Tender opens: 16 July 2025
• Deadline for questions: 30 July 2025 (17:00)
• TUPE data request deadline: 30 July 2025 (17:00)
• Tender submission deadline: 28 August 2025 (17:00)

Who Can Apply

The tender is open to any organisation that meets the LAA’s Conditions of Participation.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a complete tender via two platforms:

1) Central Digital Platform (CDP) for supplier registration and core information

2) LAA eTendering portal for the CDD Tender Response.

A share code linking the CDP response must be included in the Qualification envelope of the CDD Tender Response.

For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which can be found in the ‘documents’ section above.

Contract documentation is available on the Criminal Defence Direct Contract 2026 page.

Published 16 July 2025

Last updated 26 August 2025 + show all updates

1. 26 August 2025

   Publication of a notice to amend the 2026 CDD Procurement Process

2. 12 August 2025

   removed document

3. 12 August 2025

   update added

4. 6 August 2025

   Information/Document added

5. 16 July 2025

   First published.