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)
