A solicitor appointed by rota to attend courts or police stations to assist and advise defendants who lack legal representation; also attributive, as "duty solicitor scheme", etc.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in Act of Adjournal (Criminal Legal Aid Fees).
Definition of duty solicitor in US English:
duty solicitor
noun
A solicitor appointed by rota to attend courts or police stations to assist and advise defendants who lack legal representation; also attributive, as "duty solicitor scheme", etc.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in Act of Adjournal (Criminal Legal Aid Fees).