Scope
Reference
CDD 2026
Description
Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Launch in summer 2025
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, will run a procurement exercise to award contracts for two providers to deliver the CDD Service from on or around 1 March 2026.
Key Details:
• Service: 24/7 non means tested telephone-based legal advice for individuals detained at police stations for non-indictable offences.
• Contract Award: Two providers will each manage 50% of the caseload (with possible variations).
• Duration: 1 March 2026 - 31 May 2031.
Procurement Process Updates:
From 24 February 2025, all suppliers must use the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform to share their organisation's information with Contracting Authorities by providing a share code during the procurement process.
If suppliers are still unable to create a share code after getting assistance from the Cabinet Office, please email contact: Crime.Contracts@justice.gov.uk.
Key Service Changes:
The LAA, as part of this procurement, will introduce the following key changes to the CDD Service that align with the move to enhanced flexibility and reducing barriers to support providers in successfully delivering the CDD contract and ensure consistency across similar services.
For the new CDD Contract the LAA are:
• allowing Applicants to choose the arrangements most suitable for their delivery models and are not specifying the office requirements;
• removing supervisor-to-advisor ratios;
• removing the requirement for supervisors to be on-site 35 hours/week; and
• introducing a new KPI to track client engagement and timeliness of advice
Total value (estimated)
- £2,360,000 excluding VAT
- £2,900,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 31 May 2031
- 5 years, 3 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for: 1
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1
Lot Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 1. Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 1
Description
Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 1
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, will run a procurement exercise to award contracts for two providers to deliver the CDD Service from on or around 1 March 2026.
Key Details:
• Service: 24/7 non means tested telephone-based legal advice for individuals detained at police stations for non-indictable offences.
• Contract Award: Two providers will each manage 50% of the caseload (with possible variations).
• Duration: 1 March 2026 - 31 May 2031.
Procurement Process Updates:
From 24 February 2025, all suppliers must use the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform to share their organisation's information with Contracting Authorities by providing a share code during the procurement process.
If suppliers are still unable to create a share code after getting assistance from the Cabinet Office, please email contact: Crime.Contracts@justice.gov.uk.
Key Service Changes:
The LAA, as part of this procurement, will introduce the following key changes to the CDD Service that align with the move to enhanced flexibility and reducing barriers to support providers in successfully delivering the CDD contract and ensure consistency across similar services.
For the new CDD Contract the LAA are:
• allowing Applicants to choose the arrangements most suitable for their delivery models and are not specifying the office requirements;
• removing supervisor-to-advisor ratios;
• removing the requirement for supervisors to be on-site 35 hours/week; and
• introducing a new KPI to track client engagement and timeliness of advice
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,180,000 excluding VAT
- £1,450,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement - Contract 2. Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 2
Description
Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 2
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, will run a procurement exercise to award contracts for two providers to deliver the CDD Service from on or around 1 March 2026.
Key Details:
• Service: 24/7 non means tested telephone-based legal advice for individuals detained at police stations for non-indictable offences.
• Contract Award: Two providers will each manage 50% of the caseload (with possible variations).
• Duration: 1 March 2026 - 31 May 2031.
Procurement Process Updates:
From 24 February 2025, all suppliers must use the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform to share their organisation's information with Contracting Authorities by providing a share code during the procurement process.
If suppliers are still unable to create a share code after getting assistance from the Cabinet Office, please email contact: Crime.Contracts@justice.gov.uk.
Key Service Changes:
The LAA, as part of this procurement, will introduce the following key changes to the CDD Service that align with the move to enhanced flexibility and reducing barriers to support providers in successfully delivering the CDD contract and ensure consistency across similar services.
For the new CDD Contract the LAA are:
• allowing Applicants to choose the arrangements most suitable for their delivery models and are not specifying the office requirements;
• removing supervisor-to-advisor ratios;
• removing the requirement for supervisors to be on-site 35 hours/week; and
• introducing a new KPI to track client engagement and timeliness of advice
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,180,000 excluding VAT
- £1,450,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 1. Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 1
Lot Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement - Contract 2. Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Contract 2
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
16 July 2025
Enquiry deadline
30 July 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
18 August 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
12 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | The Qulity Award Criteria will be based on the following 8 key criteria: 1.1 - Skills and experience of staff delivering advice 1.2 - Staff Recruitment and Succession Planning 1.3 - Supervision of staff... |
Quality | 60% |
| Price | Cost per case |
Price | 40% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Legal Aid Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZC-2236-JJJZ
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
United Kingdom
Email: crime.contracts@justice.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/legal-aid-agency
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government