Free Online Tool
Should I Attend My Interview?
Answer 4 questions about your interview type, legal representation, case stage, and urgency — get a specific recommendation, your legal rights, and exactly what to say.
Police & council interviews · No personal data stored · Instant result
Before you start
Whether you have been asked to attend a voluntary police interview, a council interview under caution, or something less formal — this tool will give you a clear, specific recommendation based on your exact situation.
If you have been arrested and are at the police station right now, do not wait. Tell the custody sergeant: “I want to speak to a solicitor before I am interviewed.” The duty solicitor service is free and available 24 hours — the police cannot begin the interview until you have had that chance.
Question 1
What type of interview or contact is this?
The type of interview determines your legal rights and whether attendance is optional.
This tool gives guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If your interview is today or you have been arrested, call a solicitor immediately.
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Specific recommendation
The most important thing to understand
The word “voluntary” in a voluntary police interview is misleading. Under PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984), a voluntary interview is a formal investigative interview under caution. Your answers are recorded verbatim and can be used as evidence in a prosecution. The only difference from an interview following arrest is that you can, in theory, leave — but if you do, the police may arrest you.
The same principle applies to a council interview under caution. Council enforcement officers use the PACE caution — “you do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court” — and the interview carries exactly the same legal weight as a police interview.
The risk of attending without a solicitor is not just making a damaging admission. It is also failing to raise a defence at the interview stage that you later want to rely on in court — because adverse inferences can be drawn from late disclosure of facts you could have mentioned earlier.
This tool is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If your interview is today or you have been arrested, call a solicitor immediately rather than using this tool. For advice specific to your situation, please request a free discovery call.
Types of interview — explained
Voluntary police interview (PACE)
HighThe police ask you to come in voluntarily. You have not been arrested. The interview is under caution — everything you say is recorded. You can leave at any time, but the police may arrest you if you do. You have the right to a free solicitor before the interview begins.
Interview after arrest
HighestYou have been arrested and taken to the police station. You must remain until you are charged, bailed, or released with no further action. You have an absolute right to a free duty solicitor before the interview begins — the police cannot start the interview until you have had that opportunity.
Council interview under caution
HighThe council's enforcement or fraud team asks you to attend a formal interview. They use the PACE caution — the same as the police. The interview is recorded and can be used in evidence. You have the right to a solicitor.
Council informal conversation
Medium — can escalateA council officer wants to speak with you without a formal caution being given. This may or may not be recorded. What you say can still be used. You have the right to pause and seek advice. If a caution is then given, the interview has become formal — you can stop and request a solicitor at that point.
Book Your Free Discovery Call
A specialist can advise you on interview strategy, attend with you, and give you the best possible chance of a no-further-action outcome.