Accreditation process

The Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) is the framework through which individuals become accredited to provide legal advice at police stations on a legally aided basis in England and Wales. Accreditation is administered through the Legal Aid Agency's contracting arrangements, which maintain the register of accredited representatives. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates solicitors but does not itself operate the PSRAS scheme.

PSRAS is an accreditation framework—it assesses competence. It is not a single training course but a process that typically includes portfolio submission, a Critical Incidents Test (CIT), and a written examination. Assessment components are delivered by authorised providers. Cardiff Law School and Datalaw are examples of organisations that have provided PSRAS-related assessments; check the current position directly with each provider, as formats and arrangements can change.

Candidates usually work under supervision while building experience and completing the required components. These typically include: a portfolio demonstrating competence; the Critical Incidents Test (a practical scenario-based assessment); and a written examination. Solicitors may have alternative routes (e.g. through the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme).

Requirements and formats can change. You must check the current rules and guidance published by the Legal Aid Agency and the assessment organisations before relying on this overview.

Before and during the accreditation process, candidates are typically supervised by solicitors or other authorised persons. Supervisors support development and may sign off on portfolio or other elements. Accreditation must be obtained through the recognised scheme and appropriate supervision—not through this or any other standalone training platform.