Mounting speculation on social media that the government may be about to abandon two-tier contracting for criminal legal aid lawyers led the Criminal Law Solicitors Association to issue a statement this week. Posting on the CLSA website, Zoe Gascoyne, CLSA president, said the Ministry of Justice have confirmed to her that they have not made a decision to stop two-tier and expect to roll it out in areas not subject to litigation in April. A judicial review brought by the Fair Crime Contracts Alliance is due to begin on 7 April, and a separate hearing into more than 100 procurement challenges is due to begin on 3 May.
21 January 2016
Two-tier or not two-tier
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: Hugo Plowman, Mishcon de Reya
From global fraud cases to fishing off-grid, Mishcon de Reya’s chair of dispute resolution Hugo Plowman discusses mentors, management switching off
Maguire Family Law—Jennifer Hudec, Ciara Florey, Alice Ferguson & Ruth Wynn
Maguire Family Law announces partner promotion and new hires amid a record year for enquiries
Switalskis—Rebecca Parry & Hannah Gamble
Switalskis wills and probate team extends reach with two appointments
NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
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