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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

DWF—19 appointments

DWF—19 appointments

Belfast team bolstered by three senior hires and 16 further appointments

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Firm strengthens leveraged finance team with London partner hire

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Double hire marks launch of family team in Leeds

NEWS
Charlie Mercer and Astrid Gillam of Stewarts crunch the numbers on civil fraud claims in the English courts, in this week's NLJ. New data shows civil fraud claims rising steadily since 2014, with the King’s Bench Division overtaking the Commercial Court as the forum of choice for lower-value disputes
Bea Rossetto of the National Pro Bono Centre makes the case for ‘General Practice Pro Bono’—using core legal skills to deliver life-changing support, without the need for niche expertise—in this week's NLJ
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve reports on Haynes v Thomson, the first judicial application of the Supreme Court’s For Women Scotland ruling in a discrimination claim, in this week's NLJ
Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Rylatt and Robyn Laye of Anthony Gold Solicitors examine recent international relocation cases where allegations of domestic abuse shaped outcomes
The Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment in July that overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, once poster boys of the Libor and Euribor scandal. In NLJ this week, Neil Swift of Peters & Peters considers what the ruling means for financial law enforcement
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