CDS Direct, the pilot service giving telephone legal advice to clients in police stations, has hit its targets and will save ?5.6 million a year ? mainly from reducing the number of cases requiring attendance by duty solicitors ? according to an evaluation by the Legal Services Commission.

The service dealt with 36,211 calls in its first six months, of which 70% were closed by telephone advice. The report recommended continuing the pilot, but highlighted issues that need resolving, mainly relating to the scheme?s interaction with police stations.