What is PACE, and Why Does it Matter for Appropriate Adults?
- tabatha6853
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Picture this: it's 1983, and a vulnerable teenager sits alone in a police interview room, confused and frightened, with no one to help them understand what's happening. Fast-forward to today, and UK law says this scenario should never occur.
The reason? A groundbreaking piece of legislation that transformed policing forever: the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, better known as PACE.
If you've ever wondered what protects vulnerable people in police custody, or why Appropriate Adults exist at all, PACE is your answer.
The game-changer that rewrote the rules
PACE isn't just another law gathering dust on legal shelves – it's the cornerstone of fair policing in England and Wales. Think of it as the rulebook that strikes a crucial balance:
On one side: Police need proper powers to investigate crime effectively
On the other: Every person in custody deserves protection, dignity, and fair treatment
PACE achieved something remarkable: it gave police the tools they needed while building unshakeable safeguards around the people they're investigating.
Following miscarriages of justice
Why did PACE come about? By the early 1980s, there was growing concern about policing practices. Following miscarriages of justice where vulnerable suspects had been pressured into false confessions and basic rights were ignored, it became clear that the system needed stronger safeguards to protect those who needed it most. Something had to change, and change it did.
PACE emerged as the solution: a comprehensive framework designed to ensure that investigating crime never comes at the expense of human dignity and rights.
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) changed all that. It established a simple but powerful principle: no child or vulnerable person should navigate the criminal justice system unsupported.
Where Appropriate Adults enter the story
Here's where it gets really interesting for anyone working in the Appropriate Adult world. PACE didn't just reform policing – it created an entirely new role.
The legislation recognised a simple but powerful truth: some people need extra support when dealing with police procedures. Specifically:
All children under 18 (no exceptions)
Vulnerable adults – including those with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or communication difficulties
PACE made it crystal clear: these individuals must have an Appropriate Adult present during crucial moments like interviews, charging, and taking of samples. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a legal requirement.
What does PACE look like in practice?
For Appropriate Adults, PACE is everything. It's not just the reason the role exists – it's the blueprint for how to do the job effectively.
PACE creates the legal foundation - Without this Act, there would be no requirement for AAs. PACE recognises that vulnerability can equal disadvantage, and mandates protection.
PACE defines the boundaries - The Act and its supporting Codes of Practice spell out exactly when an AA must be present and what they should do. No guesswork, no ambiguity.
PACE ensures consequences - Here's the crucial bit: without an Appropriate Adult present when required, any evidence gathered (including interviews) can be challenged as unlawful. That's serious legal territory.
For Appropriate Adults, PACE translates into real, everyday situations:
During interviews: Checking that questions are fair and that the person understands what's being asked
When rights are explained: Making sure a teenager truly grasps their right to free legal advice, not just nodding along
Watching for problems: Spotting signs of distress, confusion, or unfair treatment and stepping in
During procedures: Ensuring that forms are signed and consent is given only when fully understood
Every single action an AA takes is guided by PACE's core principles: fairness, protection, and crystal-clear communication.
Beyond the legal textbook
While PACE is undoubtedly legislation, its impact reaches far beyond legal requirements. For vulnerable people, having an AA present often transforms a terrifying experience into one where they feel supported and understood. It's not just about the person in custody, either. PACE gives police officers confidence that they're following the law correctly, with proper safeguards in place. Everyone wins when the system works fairly.
Strip away the legal jargon, and PACE is really about something beautifully simple: ensuring that being vulnerable doesn't mean being voiceless. Every time an Appropriate Adult sits beside a frightened teenager or helps a vulnerable adult understand their rights, they're not just following procedures – they're bringing PACE's vision of fair, humane justice to life.
Different rules across the UK
While the term "Appropriate Adult" is used throughout the UK, the rules do vary depening on where you are:
England and Wales follow PACE 1984 – AAs are required for all under-18s and vulnerable adults
Scotland uses the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, focusing mainly on vulnerable adults (children have separate protections)
Northern Ireland follows similar rules to England and Wales under their own version of PACE.
Different frameworks, same goal: ensuring vulnerable people aren't left to face the system alone.
Why every AA needs to know PACE
For anyone considering becoming an Appropriate Adult, understanding PACE isn't just helpful - it's essential. This legislation:
Gives you authority to be there and speak up when needed
Provides your roadmap for when and how to act
Protects everyone involved by ensuring procedures are followed correctly
At TAAS, our training ensures every Appropriate Adult has thorough knowledge of PACE and the confidence to apply it in real situations. Because when vulnerable people need support most, there's no room for uncertainty.
The foundation that makes it possible
PACE might be nearly 40 years old, but it's as relevant today as ever. It remains the backbone of safeguarding in police custody and the reason Appropriate Adults can make such a vital difference.
For every vulnerable person who's felt heard instead of helpless, understood instead of confused, and protected instead of alone – that's PACE working exactly as it should.
Ready to become part of this crucial safeguarding system? Learn more about becoming an Appropriate Adult and how our comprehensive training covers everything you need to know about PACE in practice.
