In a weekly column, solicitor Juliet Phillips-James casts her

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QI have been asked by the police to attend a voluntary interview under caution. I have never been in this position before and I am a bit nervous. What is the process for instructing you to represent me? Do you work weekends?

AInterviews at the police station are matters which we deal with on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whatever the day and time, a member of our team is on hand to represent you.

Initially, we would take some brief details from you, including the date and time of the interview, the alleged offence, and the investigating officer’s details. We will also make some enquiries with the relevant police station and the investigating officer prior to the interview.

Upon arrival at the police station, we would request disclosure, ie, what the police intend to interview you about together with any evidence. We will then assess the nature and strength of the evidence. Prior to the interview, we will have a private and confidential discussion with you where we will take you through the evidence and take your instructions. Based on your instructions, we will then advise you as to how we think you should proceed with the interview, for example, whether you should answer all questions, provide a prepared statement, or give a “no comment” interview.

We will then advise you as to the structure of the interview, to ensure you are fully aware as to the process the police will follow. We will then stay with you for the duration of the interview to provide you with legal advice and to ensure your basic and legal rights remain protected.

On conclusion of the interview, we will remain in contact with the investigating officer and will keep you updated on the progress of the investigation.

We strongly advise that on any request from the police to attend an interview, you contact us as soon as possible to arrange representation, regardless of how minor you believe the matter to be. Legal representation enables you to be fully appraised of the strength of the evidence against you and ensures your legal rights remain protected. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please do not hesitate to contact our crime team by email on: contactus@gomerwilliams.co.uk, or by phone on 01554 755101 (out of hours: 07580 195130).