Uddrag hentet den 2. november 2011 fra det
britiske advokatsamfunds hjemmeside:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/accreditation/accreditationcriminallitigation.page#one
"...What is the Criminal Litigation
Accreditation Scheme (CLAS)?
CLAS is an accreditation scheme available to solicitors who provide criminal legal services and wish to become a duty solicitor. Pursuant to the Criminal Defence Service Duty Solicitor Arrangements 2001 (PDF), once granted membership to CLAS , members are eligible to apply to the Criminal Defence Service to be placed on one or more duty solicitor rotas. Only solicitors and Fellows of the Institute of Executives (FILEX) can become members of CLAS . Barristers should contact the Legal Services Commission (LSC) for information on applying to be entered on a duty rota. All firms that have a General Criminal Contract with the LSC must have at least one duty solicitor.
How do I become a member of CLAS?
To become a member of CLAS, an applicant must attain both of the following:
- Police Station Qualification (PSQ) or Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS)
- Magistrate's Court Qualification (MCQ)
If you are interested in becoming a scheme member of CLAS and have completed the PSQ/PSRAS and MCQ, you will need to complete the application form above.
What is the Police Station Qualification (PSQ)?
The PSQ enables solicitors to conduct publicly funded cases in the police station. If you have the PSQ, you can take cases at the police station, provided that the duty solicitor has given initial advice to the client. If you conduct own-client work under a General Criminal Contract, you must hold the PSQ. It is not required for conducting privately funded work. To attain the PSQ, you must complete two assessments:
- Portfolio
- Critical Incidents Test
The assessments are carried out by an assessment organisation approved by the Law Society. Please refer to our guidance notes above for more information about the PSQ. Please note you do not need to attain the PSQ if, prior to admission as a solicitor, you were accredited to the Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS).
What is the Magistrate's Court Qualification (MCQ)?
The MCQ enables solicitors and FILEX members to provide advocacy services at the Magistrates' Court on a rota basis with the Criminal Defence Service. However, you cannot apply to become a magistrates' courts duty solicitor if you only hold the MCQ. You must complete the PSQ/PSRAS and MCQ and be granted membership to CLAS in order to become a duty solicitor. The MCQ maybe awarded to solicitors who hold a current practising certificate and have at least six months continuous post admission experience or criminal defence work in the police station and magistrates' court. To attain the MCQ, you must complete two assessments:
- portfolio
- interview and advocacy assessment
The assessments are carried out by an assessment organisation approved by the Law Society. Please refer to our guidance notes above for more information about the MCQ. ..."