Public Defence Service expansion plans outlined

North Shore will be the first Public Defence Service office to accept 50% of criminal legal aid assignments, from 18 July, the Acting Deputy Secretary of Legal Services and Treaty, Stuart White, has advised.

In a letter to New Zealand Law Society President Jonathan Temm about Public Defence Service (PDS) expansion plans, Mr White says other Auckland and Hamilton PDS offices are expected to be accepting 50% of assignments by the end of 2011, with the Wellington PDS office "after that".

"We will keep the Law Society advised on the specific timetable for implementing the change in individual courts," he says. "Local lawyers will also be contacted when the change at the courts from which they receive legal aid assignments is being implemented."

Mr White says Dunedin will be the next PDS office established, and the office is expected to provide legal services "from late this year".

"Consistent with other courts where the PDS operates, the PDS will operate in the Dunedin District and High Court only and will not provide services to smaller courts close by," he says.

Other new PDS offices will be established in the first half of 2012 in Tauranga, Hastings (which will also serve Napier) and "if circumstances permit", Christchurch.

"It is expected that the PDS will be operating at the Tauranga District and High Courts from early next year, followed by Hastings." the letter states. "In each locality, we propose to make early contact with the District Court judiciary and keep them informed on progress.

© New Zealand Law Society 2008