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2010 bid concerns

05 February 2009
Issue: 7355 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services
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Legal aid

Legal Services Commission (LSC) plans to create a more “integrated” civil legal aid service could result in less choice for consumers, practitioners are warning.

The LSC wants to increase the number of firms offering a range of civil legal aid services so that fewer clients are referred back and forth between suppliers. Its plans are set out in its consultation on the new procurement model for the civil legal aid contract, Civil Bid Round for 2010 Contracts. However, practitioners say supply shortages could occur as a result.

David Emmerson, chair of Resolution’s legal aid committee, said: “We agree broadly with the basis of the Commission’s proposals on both holistic services and family firms undertaking a range of work. However, the Commission needs to be sure that in areas where there is insufficient supply that their requirements are sufficiently flexible to ensure quality suppliers can successfully bid.”

Richard Miller, head of the Law Society’s Legal Aid team, says: “While we understand the potential benefits to clients of providing a higher level of ‘integrated services’, the reality is that the proposals are likely to do more harm than good.”

Issue: 7355 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

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