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: 6 August 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

CDD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

PDF, 220 KB, 5 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email LAAReasonableAdjustmentRequests@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

CDD Application Guide

PDF, 629 KB, 39 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email LAAReasonableAdjustmentRequests@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

CDD Historical Service Information

PDF, 58 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email LAAReasonableAdjustmentRequests@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

CDD Procurement Specific Questionnaire Guidance

PDF, 147 KB, 6 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email LAAReasonableAdjustmentRequests@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

CDD Quality Award Criteria Assessment Guidance

PDF, 201 KB, 13 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email LAAReasonableAdjustmentRequests@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

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 6 August 2025 + show all updates

1. 6 August 2025

   Information/Document added

2. 16 July 2025

   First published.