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Two cheers on three issues

28 May 2007 / Richard Miller
Issue: 7279 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Profession
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The LSC has shown a willingness to listen in key areas affecting legal aid provision, says Richard Miller

At a time when the Legal Services Commission (LSC) is under intense fire, it deserves credit where it shows a willingness to listen and respond constructively to criticism. In three areas recently, the LSC has taken decisions that will benefit clients and firms alike.

SPECIALIST SUPPORT SAVED

Last year, the LSC unexpectedly announced that it was terminating the Specialist Support Service. This service enabled front-line advisers to phone an expert in social welfare law fields if they had a client with a problem that went beyond their capabilities. The specialist could assist the front-line adviser by explaining the law and guiding the adviser through the case; or if necessary, the specialist could take over the matter. In addition, the specialists were funded to provide training to enable more advisers to identify and advise on social welfare law problems. This was widely regarded as a valuable service, particularly to help address the growing problem

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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

NEWS
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From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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