About IDL

Independent Defence Lawyers (IDL) is a group of over 50 criminal law solicitors practices in the London area.

IDL believe that there is now a fundamental threat to the integrity of the criminal justice system. A key objective of IDL is to engage constructively in the debate on the reorganisation of legal services. Proposals from the group are founded on the basic principles of independence, diversity, quality, reputation, access, choice and inclusion.

We represent a wide variety of criminal law practices across the London area.

We believe in the following core principles:

Independence
An independent legal profession is essential to civil society. The remuneration arrangements for those defending the accused within the criminal justice system are integral to securing such independence and the maintenance of a diverse profession with high standards throughout numerous practices. The institutional arrangements and the varying types of legal practice that emerge provide the space in which defence lawyers can fearlessly represent citizens’ interests which are often in conflict with other public institutions including government.

Access and Choice
Free competition has led to a healthy market which provides multiple points of access and client choice. We oppose any reorganisation of the market that decreases client choice or access to solicitors' offices.

Diversity
The clients of criminal defence firms in London and the lawyers working in those firms reflect their society and are drawn from the very many cultures and backgrounds of the city’s residents. Competition by reputation, in what is the most cosmopolitan city in the world, has successfully allowed for the provision of services by firms diverse in ethnicity and cultural heritage and continues to do so in a dynamic and evolving context.

Quality and Reputation
We believe in maintaining the highest standards of quality and competition. The current system provides a market test of solicitor’s services. Client trust and engagement with their solicitor is reflected through referral and repeat work.

Fair Deal for defendants in the criminal justice system
We believe that quality of service should not be sacrificed to meet a directive to cut expenditure resulting from either the failings or inefficiencies of other agencies or from increases in workload. We support attempts to identify savings in the system provided that they do not adversely affect quality of service.

Inclusion
We recognise that Legal Aid lawyers work in widely diverse settings and that the function we perform is a powerful mechanism for social inclusion. Some of our clients are among London’s most alienated and excluded; forming a relationship of trust with a solicitor reconnects our clients to the society and its notions of fairness and justice.


Responses to Consultations

IDL also makes representations on behalf of its members to consultation papers issued by the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission.

Click here to read IDL's recent responses to consultations including our response to the Legal Services Commission consultation on proposals for the procurement of new CDS contracts through Best Value Tendering.


IDL Police Stations and London Courts E-Diary

IDL has an innovative online shared diary which allows members to see which lawyers/representatives are available at any particular Police Station or Criminal Court in London. For further information, please visit our E-Diary page.

You can also see a video demonstration showing how the E-Diary works, by clicking here.