Pace Code

A draft order making changes to Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code C provisions on access to legal advice has been laid before Parliament and is expected to be debated this week. The changes primarily clarify stop and search powers, implement Lord Carter’s review of legal aid procurement, and enable the audio recording of interviews on secure digital network to be piloted. If approved, they would become effective on February 1. Michael Zander, professor emeritus of law at the London School of Economics, says: “Serious concerns have been raised about the impact of the changes on suspects in the police station seeking legal advice.”