Police Detention Legal Assistance

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.

Approval to provide PDLA services

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.

Management of PDLA rosters

The Initial Criminal Legal Services (ICLS) unit administers both rosters and lists for the PDLA service, as follows:

  • a roster for greater Auckland, which is structured by type of legal matter
  • rosters for Northland and Hamilton city, which are not structured by type of legal matter
  • lists for the remaining areas.

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

PDLA operational policy

This policy describes the operation of the PDLA service and includes:

  • information about the PDLA service
  • responsibilities of PDLA Lawyers
  • obtaining PDLA approval
  • assignment as a result of PDLA
  • travel
  • submitting invoices
  • forms and attendances
  • payment for PDLA services
  • guidelines for when to make face to face attedances.

Police Detention Legal Assistance Service - Operational policy [PDF, 350 KB]

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