Defence lawyers are given access to PNLD
Criminal defence lawyers can now access the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) following an ACPO decision to offer the service to the wider criminal justice community.
Heather Croft, PNLDs Business Director, told delegates at the recent annual Law Society Conference in Birmingham: “If lawyers or members of their staff save just 30 minutes of chargeable time a week by using PNLD, their subscription will be covered. If they save more time, PNLD will be contributing significantly to the success of the firms financial bottom line.”
PNLD is a subscription-based, not-for-profit organisation, which began in 1991 and has now developed into an online criminal law service. It offers users a wide range of up-to-date legal information, case law and standard offence wordings.
Other PNLD features include help notes and interpretation, points to prove, CPS charging standards and time limits on prosecutions. Until now it has only been available to police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service.
PNLD also writes a regular Law Update article for Police Professional readers.