Introduction
When you ask for legal advice at a Kent police station, a duty solicitor or accredited police station representative attends on your behalf. This guide explains who may attend, how they are independent of the police, and what they do during custody or a voluntary interview.
Police Station Agent is a private defence website operated by Robert Cashman — NOT Kent Police. Legal services are delivered through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).
Key takeaways
- Legal advice at the police station is provided by a duty solicitor or accredited representative.
- Your adviser is independent of the police and bound by confidentiality.
- They can review disclosure, advise privately, and attend interview with you.
- Robert Cashman attends as a qualified solicitor through Tuckers Solicitors LLP.
Duty solicitor scheme
The duty solicitor scheme provides free legal advice at the police station for most people being interviewed. When you request a solicitor, the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) or custody staff arranges attendance. You may request a specific duty solicitor where the scheme allows.
What your adviser does
Your solicitor or representative will:
- Confirm your identity with custody staff
- Seek disclosure from the investigating officer
- Meet you in private to discuss the allegation and your account
- Advise on interview strategy — answering questions, no comment, or prepared statement
- Attend the interview under caution with you
- Explain the outcome and next steps
Independence from the police
Your solicitor is not part of the police. They work for you (or the firm instructed on your behalf). Anything you say in your private consultation is confidential. The police cannot direct your solicitor or tell them what advice to give.
See your rights in custody and PACE Code C explained.
Qualified solicitor attendance
Police station work may be undertaken by accredited representatives or qualified solicitors. Robert Cashman attends as a qualified solicitor through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795), covering Kent custody suites and voluntary interviews.
Kent-wide cover
Attendance is available across Kent — Medway, North Kent (Gravesend), Tonbridge, Canterbury, Folkestone and other stations — subject to availability. See all locations and police station directory.
Further information for detainees and family
If you or someone you know faces police station attendance in Kent, remember that legal advice at the police station is free for most people being interviewed. You do not have to answer police questions without advice. A solicitor is independent of the police and bound by confidentiality.
Immediate family may help arrange a solicitor when someone is in current custody, subject to the detainee confirming they want legal advice. Call 01732 247427 or text 07535 494446. Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor. Attendance is subject to availability.
See your rights in custody, someone in custody now, and free police station advice in Kent.
How freelance agents differ from duty solicitor schemes
A freelance police station agent attends on behalf of an instructing firm — not under the public duty solicitor rota. The client still receives free advice if they qualify under Legal Aid at the police station, but the instructing relationship is between the firm and the agent. The agent does not replace the firm as the client's solicitor of record unless formally transferred.
Firms use freelance cover when their own duty rota cannot meet demand: overnight custody, simultaneous detainees, or geographic conflicts across Kent. The agent's role is attendance, consultation, interview support, and written notes — not long-term case ownership unless agreed.
What firms should agree before first instruction
- Billing — Legal Aid rates vs private agreed fees; mileage and waiting time
- Note format — disclosure summary, advice, interview key points, outcome, bail conditions
- Communication — who receives the note (fee earner, admin, secure email)
- Escalation — when the agent should telephone the firm during attendance
Clear expectations reduce repeat calls and protect the client file. See firm cover page and send instructions.
Common mistakes when instructing freelance cover
Thin briefs — station name only, no custody record number — delay attendance. Vague strategy ("just go and see what happens") leaves the agent without guidance on no comment, prepared statement, or further disclosure. Slow feedback after attendance makes handover harder for the fee earner advising on bail return or charging decisions.
Good instructing firms treat police station cover like any other delegated attendance: complete references, realistic timescales, and a named contact for urgent decisions.
Need legal advice at a Kent police station?
Call 01732 247427 for current custody or a booked voluntary interview. If you cannot call, text 07535 494446.
Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor — the DSCC have our details. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).
Contact Police Station Agent · Someone in custody now · Free police station advice in Kent
Conclusion
If you need legal advice at a Kent police station, ask custody staff to contact a solicitor or call 01732 247427. Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor.
Sources
- GOV.UK — If you're arrested: your rights
- PACE 1984, section 58 — right to legal advice
- SRA register — search for Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID 127795)
- Your rights in custody (Police Station Agent)
- PACE Code C explained (Police Station Agent)
General information only — not legal advice about any individual case. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).