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Draft contract documents for the Criminal Defence Direct Contract from 4 May 2026.

• Updated: 16 July 2025

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

• Updated: 26 August 2025

Information for organisations interested in applying to deliver Criminal Defence Direct Services from June 2021

• Updated: 30 November 2020

Draft contract documents for the Criminal Defence Direct Contract from 1 June 2021.

• Updated: 10 November 2020

Information for organisations interested in applying to deliver Criminal Defence Direct Services from June 2020

• Updated: 7 May 2020

Details of the Ministry of Justice’s review of criminal legal aid, announced in December 2018.

• Updated: 19 November 2020

The latest versions of the Criminal Procedure Rules and of the Criminal Practice Directions made by the Lord Chief Justice.

• Updated: 6 April 2026

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is inviting tenders for Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contracts to deliver 24/7 telephone-based legal advice.

• Updated: 16 July 2025

The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) is the strategic command headquarters for the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU).

• Updated: 21 March 2023

The rules for legal aid providers, including the interests of justice and means tests, relevant legislation, and making an application.

• Updated: 27 June 2025