Public Defence Service
The Ministry of Justice employs salaried criminal lawyers to take on criminal legal aid cases in the Auckland, Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore, Papakura, Pukekohe, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Hamilton, Dunedin and Tauranga courts through its Public Defence Service (PDS). Papakura and Pukekohe PDS lawyers are based in the Manukau office but work in the Papakura and Pukekohe courts. The Wellington PDS deals with cases in the Wellington, Lower Hutt and Porirua District Courts, and in the Wellington High Court. A PDS office in Hawkes Bay is planned to open in mid 2012.
The PDS has a strong client focus and provides full information on responsibilities and obligations to all clients. Clients can expect all PDS lawyers to:
- treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
- be competent, take a reasonable time to do the work and follow your reasonable instructions and the arrangements which you have agreed.
- protect and promote your interests and act free from other influences or loyalties.
- talk to you about your aims and how they should best be achieved.
- give you information about the work to be done, who will do it and the way it will be done.
- protect your privacy and make sure that all your information is kept confidential.
- keep you up-to-date about the work being done and let you know when it is finished.
The PDS began as a pilot scheme in May 2004, and was made permanent on 1 December 2008.
See more about the PDS:
Introducing the Public Defence Service and duty lawyer changes to the Tauranga Courts
Introducing the Public Defence Service and duty lawyer changes to the Dunedin Courts
Introducing the Public Defence Service and duty lawyer changes to the Napier and Hastings Courts
Public Defence Service Pilot Evaluation Final Report
Value for Money Review of the Public Defence Service
Public Defence Service Benchmarking Report - June 2011
