London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

Lawyers refusing to attend police stations over coronavirus fears

Solicitors are refusing to attend police stations because of ‘cavalier’ attitudes towards coronavirus health safeguards.
A blistering attack on the police saw officers accused of ‘shocking’ behaviour.

Ian Kelcey, the co-chairman of the Law Society’s criminal law committee, has called on the Home Office to introduce a national protocol for custody suites where arrested people are detained and labelled police guidance as useful a ‘chocolate fireguard’.

He added that clarity was also needed in England and Wales’s magistrates’ courts, branding current arrangements a ‘muddle’. His comments came as some crown courts closed their doors today amid Covid-19 crisis.

In a statement on Monday, Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett announced no new jury trials should take place at crown courts and any ongoing cases should be paused for stringent safety measures to be put in place.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents criminal barristers in England and Wales, said it would support members who choose not to attend court.

A senior lawyer who turned up at Maidstone but declined to be named said: ‘None of the judges turned up due to concerns about their own safety despite cases being listed for today.

‘Court now closed until further notice – you couldn’t script it.’

Mr Kelcey, a senior partner at Bristol-based criminal law firm Kelcey and Hall, said a joined-up approach was needed between police stations, courts and prisons.

He added: ‘Currently, with police stations, we take the view the police are taking a very lax attitude to all of this.

‘We had a client arrested, coughing, the police said he’s got some symptoms, and didn’t even refer him to a health care professional.

‘We said, “OK, we’re refusing to attend”, and the end result was the client was released, no further action.

‘In Kent, a colleague was on call over the weekend, someone was arrested, who thought he had Covid-19.

‘The police said, “No they haven’t, but tell you what, when you turn up we have masks and gloves for you”, then when he arrived the police were wearing full hazmat suits.

‘It is just shocking, the way police are behaving.’

He described National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance as ‘as much use as a chocolate fireguard’, adding different forces were using different protocols.

At least one force is reportedly asking solicitors to bring their own hand gel, gloves and masks, while at Staffordshire Police’s Cannock custody block, lawyers have been met at the doors by staff with hand sanitiser.

West Midlands Police has designated one of its four custody suites, Wolverhampton, to hold detainees suspected or confirmed to have Covid-19.

Mr Kelcey said police interviews could be done safely and remotely using conference call phones.

‘We can do interviews remotely, get disclosure, speak to the client and be present in interview by dialling in over the phone,’ he said.

‘It’s not rocket science – every force has a conference call phone.

‘The trouble with the police attitude is, “We’ve arrested someone, we’ve got a problem, and don’t want to keep them here”.

‘There’s a certain hypocrisy to all this.

‘There’s a very cavalier attitude and the police have been cavalier about the health of detainees, particularly mental health, for many years, in my experience.’

He said the profession should stand together and not attend police stations, adding that his firm and others in Bristol are refusing to go.

‘I think now we need a national protocol from the Home Office.’

He also described magistrates courts as ‘zoos’ in the current climate, adding that some courts have no soap.

The Ministry of Justice and the Police Federation have been approached for comment.

Simon Davis, Law Society president, said: ‘The courts have now directed that all matters that can be dealt with remotely must be.

‘There will only be extremely limited exceptions, where a matter is urgent and justice cannot be done without a face-to-face hearing.

‘In these limited circumstances, and so long as the court is taking all necessary measures to ensure good hygiene, appropriate distancing and following all other relevant guidance to minimise risk, it should be safe for our members to attend court.’

‘If appropriate hygiene and safety measures are not in place, it would be reasonable to decline to attend.’

A Home Office spokeswoman said: ‘We are working incredibly closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council who have sent guidance to all police forces on how to safely manage their custody suites.

‘This is an evolving situation and we keep guidance under constant review.’
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
×