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Defending legal aid

Wednesday 30 July 2008

The Law Society's objective is to persuade the government to guarantee an adequately funded legal aid system ensuring quality representation and access to justice for all. Our What Price Justice campaign is supported by many of the most influential lobbying organisations in the country.

Latest news

Litigator Graduated Fee Scheme: complete our survey

The Legal Services Commission is planning a review of the Litigator Graduated Fee Scheme to examine whether any issues have arisen in the first six months of its operation. To help us represent your views, we'd like to know your experiences of the scheme.
Complete our short survey – closing date: 14 August

Reconciliation of SMP – new protocol in place

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has put in place a new process for the reconciliation of Standard Monthly Payments (SMP) as part of the deed of settlement following the judicial review by the Law Society. The new process aims to achieve more stability and a smoother cashflow for providers, with fewer sudden changes in the level of payments, and fewer interventions by the LSC. The Society hopes that it will be an improvement on the previous process – a review in December 2008 will provide an opportunity to address any problems that may arise.
Read more

Unrecouped payments on account

22 July 2008
We have clarified with the LSC what happens to practitioners' liability for outstanding counsel's fees where cases fall within the terms of the unified contract settlement on unrecouped payments on account.
Read more

LSC launches DSCC Online

22 July 2008
The LSC has launched an online service for practitioners following the expansion of the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC). The website enables solicitors to view and amend the records held by the DSCC for all advisers attached to their firm.
www.dutysolicitors.org

Roll out of new LSC Online system

22 July 2008
After the failure of the LSC Online system last year, the LSC has announced that it will stagger the roll out of the new system, starting in August and ending in January/February 2009. Training seminars will take place for providers. We will be monitoring the situation.
Read the full timetable

VAT on legal aid: Law Society practice note

10 July 2008
The Law Society has issued a new practice note detailing a simplified method of accounting for VAT on payments received under a legal aid contract or certificate. The practice note has been endorsed by HM Revenue and Customs.
Read the practice note

Unified Contract

Unified contract settlement

3 April 2008
The Law Society has agreed a settlement to our judicial review proceedings with the Legal Services Commission (LSC) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It gives vital financial support to legal aid, and creates a much needed period of stability and certainty in which to prepare for the long term.
Read more
Summary of the settlement (PDF, 64kb)
Full settlement deed (PDF, 404kb)

Working groups

A number of working groups were set up under the Law Society's unified contract settlement with the LSC:

Quality Assurance Joint Working Group
This group will look at peer review and other quality assurance processes and procedures. It is jointly chaired by the Society and the LSC. Other participants include the SRA, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Advice Services Alliance, the Ministry of Justice and Resolution.
Read the minutes of the meetings – LSC website

Contract Compliance Joint Working Group
This working group was set up to undertake a review of contract compliance audit (CCA) processes. It includes the Law Society, the LSC and the Advice Services Alliance, with input from the National Audit Office (NAO).
Read the latest minutes of the meetings

VHCC Panel

A working group comprising the Bar Council, Law Society, Legal Services Commission and Ministry of Justice has been meeting to design a new VHCC Panel scheme to replace the current scheme. An oversight group has also been established which will be chaired by Peter Handcock and will include Carolyn Regan, chief executive of the Legal Services Commission, Timothy Dutton QC, chairman of the Bar, and Andrew Holroyd, president of the Law Society.
Read the minutes

More legal aid information

E-mail updates

Useful resources

Community Legal Advice Centre tender process - consultants directory

Principal Registry and family courts key contacts

Legal aid toolkit

VAT on legal aid practice note

Best value tendering

Society opposition to BVT causes LSC to think again

17 July 2008
Following strong opposition from the Law Society and its members, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has announced it may reconsider plans to introduce best value tendering (BVT) for criminal defence services.
Read the full press release

BVT could result in a shortage of criminal lawyers

17 April 2008
Criminal legal aid lawyers will be at risk of extinction if best value tendering (BVT) is introduced as law firms abandon training programmes to cut costs, says the Law Society.
Read the full press release

Society says current proposals for BVT are unworkable

10 March 2008
The Law Society is calling on the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to reassess their plans to introduce best value tendering (BVT) into criminal legal aid procurement, warning that the current plans could put many firms out of business.
Read the full press release
Read the Law Society's response to the LSC's consultation on BVT
Society survey shows lack of support for BVT proposals (PDF, 92kb)