Unrepresented defendants in criminal courts why are defendants unrepresented? Question Title * 1. are you a solicitor a barrister a legal executive a legal advisor Other (please specify) Question Title * 2. why in your experience do people appear in criminal courts unrepresented? Their offence (eg motoring) does not meet legal aid criteria They do not meet the means test for legal aid They are eligible for legal aid but it has not come through/not been applied for They have already contacted a solicitor but that solicitor has not been formally engaged They would rather defend themselves than use a lawyer Other (please specify) Question Title * 3. what happens when someone eligible for legal aid appears in court unrepresented? they are usually directed to a duty solicitor/to an advocate in the court on another case the judge/bench carries on with the hearing it depends what factors affect this? Question Title * 4. what kind of difficulties do unrepresented defendants encounter in court hearings? Question Title * 5. some defendants who are ineligible for legal aid pay a lawyer to defend them. Do most apply for legal aid first, then discover they are not eligible? Yes No Don't know Question Title * 6. defendants who pay for a lawyer cannot get all their costs back if they are acquitted/their cases collapses. How do clients feel about this and what impact do legal costs have on their life? Question Title * 7. Would you be willing to be interviewed (anonymously) by Transform Justice on this subject? If so please leave contact details Done