Graham Gregory started a Linkedin discussion with the question “What is the most memorable ‘reason’ the LSC have ever given to you for rejecting a legal aid application or other form?” The result has been far more than a series of exasperated anecdotes. It has become a damning indictment of the worsening performance of the LSC. Read the full story

In the Law Society Gazette: legal aid and access to justice online, Graham Gregory, Head of Family Dept., LSC Supervisor & Family Consultant at Miramar Legal, has started a discussion on “What is the most memorable ‘reason’ the LSC have ever given to you for rejecting a legal aid application or other form?” He challenges you “to go for the gold medal in ridiculing a flawed, wasteful and unaccountable public body.” Read the full story

In the hiatus following the cancellation of family contracts last autumn two new family fee schemes, due for implementation, were postponed. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has now announced their belated introduction from 9 May. The new schemes are: Read the full story

The Law Society found itself on the horns of a dilemma when the recent tender for civil and family legal aid work sparked a row with the LSC. Just over half the firms bidding for family contracts were successful, and the Society says this means businesses will close and people may find it difficult to get a lawyer, especially in rural areas. The new contracts are due to start on 14 October. Read the full story

All crime legal aid providers have to sign a contract with the Legal Services Commission. The current Unified Contract (Crime) has been extended to 13 July 2010, and the new 2010 Standard Crime Contract will come into force on 14 July. The LSC has just announced the new tendering procedure, and the main points are as follows. Read the full story

Hard on the heels of the National Audit Office’s highly critical report to Parliament on the procurement of Criminal Legal Aid in England and Wales comes the Public Accounts Committee’s savaging of the Legal Services Commission, the body charged with administering the programme. Read the full story

The National Audit Office’s latest report to Parliament on the procurement of Criminal Legal Aid in England and Wales will make uncomfortable reading for the Legal Services Commission. Read the full story

Very high cost cases (VHCCs) are those estimated to last more than 40 days at trial, or 25 days if involving complicated combinations of factors. Last year there were about 400 defendants funded by legal aid in 100 VHCC criminal cases at a total cost of £100 million. Read the full story

Criminal firms have seen the introduction of fixed fee schemes for police work and a standard fee system in magistrates courts following a review of legal services by Lord Carter three years ago. Now the consultations on proposals for competitive tendering by criminal defence work firms have come to an end, Read the full story

On the 2nd April a joint statement was issued by the Law Society, Legal Services Commission and Ministry of Justice regarding the agreement they reached on the unified contract. This follows the recent Court of Appeal judgement about the civil legal aid contract. Read the full story