Information for defence agents: Defence Agent Service (DAS)

DAS is an application which provides a new digital portal for defence agents and COPFS staff which will transform current business processes.  It will provide online access to digital services and information about cases.  DAS integrates with the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) service and provides you with streamlined access to disclosure information, all in one place.

• When disclosure and service of documents are made in a pilot case, a hyperlink in the notification email will allow you to securely access the material in DAS.
• DAS is available across a range of operating systems including on Android and iOS devices.
• You will see a list of active cases in your dashboard with court date information.
• Disclosure and service material shared from COPFS arrive within minutes, so you will receive these without delay. 
• You can access, view, download and print disclosed material multiple times in DAS, until the case is closed
• DAS allows for seamless access to statements, documentary productions and DESC evidence online. It also allows you to receive service documents including Indictments, and S67s.  
• Centralised disclosure screens provide you with a consolidated view of disclosed material per category, such as Witness Statements and Service Documents. The view can also be filtered, allowing you to choose how you manage the case material.  
• You can appoint delegates within your firm to access and manage material on your behalf. This includes your defence agent colleagues and your office support staff.

We will add further features to DAS over the coming months, including: 

• Letter of Engagement (inform) submissions 
• Undertaking Notification 
• Further case engagement features

DAS will replace the Secure Disclosure System (SDS) for disclosing evidence to defence agents.  Evidence held on the new DESC will also be disclosed on DAS.   From the go-live date of each location, all new cases will be disclosed through DAS, rather than through SDS. SDS will remain in place for existing cases, however the project team will look to migrate away from SDS later in 2025.  

DAS is being implemented in a phased approach. A pilot took place within the Tayside, Central and Fife region, starting in October 2024 and running to December 2024. Following this, there was an evaluation period where the project team gained invaluable feedback on the tool and our approach to rollout. Feedback received on the application was positive with users finding it significantly easier to navigate than the current SDS application.  

We are now ready to begin the national rollout of DAS. Roll-out will be phased as follows:  

• Grampian, Highlands, and Islands: 27 February 2025 (Fort William, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Lochmaddy, Portree, Stornoway, Tain, Wick)  

• Grampian, Highlands, and Islands: 18 March 2025 (Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Peterhead)  

• Lothian and Borders: 29 April 2025 (Edinburgh, Jedburgh, Livingston, Selkirk)  

• South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, and North Strathclyde: 13 May 2025 (Ayr, Dumfries, Stranraer, Kilmarnock)  

• South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway: 27 May 2025 (Airdrie, Hamilton, Lanark)  

• Glasgow and Strathkelvin: 10 June 2025 (Glasgow)  

• North Strathclyde: 24 June 2025 (Campbeltown, Dumbarton, Dunoon, Greenock, Oban, Paisley, Lochgilphead)  

Please note these dates continue to be reviewed by the DAS Delivery Governance Board and may be subject to change.    

As noted above, disclosure and service arrangements will continue under existing processes for disclosure already underway through SDS.  

We are continuing to engage with defence agents, across Scotland, to raise awareness of the new disclosure portal. Additionally, we are offering webinars to you as we expand into the new locations.    

If you already have a PIDM/DESC account which ends in @extcopfs.scot, this is the log you will use to access DAS when we share disclosure with you. 

If you need your password reset, or if you do not have a PIDM/DESC account, please contact servicedesk@copfs.gov.uk 

To get help and support please contact us by email or by calling 0300 020 3330. 

You can also watch the DAS explainer video 

COPFS would love to hear your feedback, comments and suggestions.

Please email defenceagentservice@copfs.gov.uk