Legal Services
Police Detention Legal Assistance Scheme
The Police Detention Legal Assistance (PDLA) scheme enables anyone arrested or held by the police to obtain free confidential legal advice from a lawyer. Advice may be provided by a lawyer over the telephone or in person.
The scheme ensures Section 23 New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 is given practical effect. This says people detained for questioning “have the right to consult and instruct a lawyer without delay and to be informed of that right”.
Young people can use the PDLA scheme: there is no minimum age.
For more information see the Legal Aid Guide and the PDLA policy document (pdf 59kb)
Initial Criminal Legal Services
In September 2005 the Agency published the findings of a Review of Initial Criminal Legal Services.
You can review the report here: Review of Initial Criminal Legal Services: Stage One final report (2005) (pdf 443kb)
As a result of the Review the following project is underway to progress its findings and recommendations:
Police Detention Legal Assistance Scheme Improvement Project
The information sheet Testing Administrative Changes to the PDLA Scheme (pdf 64kb) outlines the project and the Agency’s proposals for testing in the Auckland region.
Project information
The latest information is at the top of the list:
Report on Testing of Administrative Changes in Auckland region - April 2008 (pdf 408kb)
Revised Form 13A PDLA Tax Invoice for use by Auckland PDLA lawyers (pdf 75kb)
Terms of reference for the testing stage of the project available here (pdf 51kb)
For further information about the PDLA Scheme Improvement Project please contact info@lsa.govt.nz
