This section has resources for Police Detention Legal Assistance (PDLA) providers. It includes information about the operation of the PDLA service and responsibilities of PDLA providers.
The PDLA service operates under the authority of the Secretary for Justice as a specified legal service pursuant to s 68(2)(b) of the Legal Services Act 2011.
Legal Aid Services is implementing a nationwide roster for the PDLA service from 17 December 2021 to 10 January 2022. PDLA lawyers rostered on the nationwide roster for the PDLA service during this period will be paid a flat hourly rate to deliver the service during rostered shifts. During rostered shifts PDLA providers will be answering PDLA calls from all over Aotearoa, New Zealand. These changes are made to ensure there is timely access to justice throughout the holiday period.
The nationwide holiday period PDLA roster will replace the current lists or rosters used for the service between 6pm 17 December 2021 to 6am on 10 January 2022.
A copy of the nationwide roster for this period can be found below:
PDLA nationwide holiday period roster [PDF, 452 KB]
The document below contains guidelines and information for PDLA providers on the nationwide roster for the PDLA service over the holiday period.
PDLA form 13 invoice – holiday period roster shift invoice [PDF, 813 KB]
Further information on what to include on the invoice can be found in the ‘PDLA nationwide holiday roster guidelines’ document above.
Calls received outside of rostered hours and for any instances where personal attendance is required will need to be invoiced for following the usual process using the standard PDLA invoice form, a copy of which can be found below:
If you have any questions or feedback about the holiday period roster, please email NSDOpsSupport@justice.govt.nz
Please note that between 17 December 2020 and 10 January 2021 the National Service Delivery Operations Support Group within the Ministry of Justice will be responsible for providing Police with the most up-to-date roster. PDLA lawyer must advise us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend any rostered session by sending an email to the address below:
NSDOpsSupport@justice.govt.nz
Lawyers seeking PDLA approval listing should contact Provider Services for more information:
Email: legalaidprovider@justice.govt.nz
Phone: 04 918 8800
The PDLA approval application must include telephone number/s to ensure 24-hour accessibility and a description of the area or town/s where they are available to attend.
The Initial Criminal Legal Services (ICLS) unit administers both rosters and lists for the PDLA service, as follows:
The ICLS unit provides Police with the most up-to-date rosters or lists. For locations where a roster is in place, a PDLA lawyer must advise the ICLS unit as soon as possible if they are unable to attend any rostered session.
Email: PDLA@justice.govt.nz
This policy describes the operation of the PDLA service and includes:
Police Detention Legal Assistance Service - Operational policy [PDF, 350 KB]
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