(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations modify the Legal Aid Act 1988 so that, where a person appears before a magistrates' court following charge at a police station, criminal legal aid is available to that person without reference to financial resources, and without the need for a statement of means or a contribution to the costs of representation. This modification does not extend to cases where the court sends a person to the Crown Court for trial under the procedure for offences triable only on indictment.