Concession on timing of Fixed Fees Not Enough

LCF welcomes the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of fixed fees for civil legal aid work to October ’07, but fears remain about the viability of the proposed system.

“Clearly by delaying the introduction of fixed fees the Government have listened to our concerns about the indecent haste at which they were trying to press ahead with the reforms. Also welcome are the rate increases on the fees for debt and welfare benefit cases,” said Steve Hynes, Director of the Law Centres Federation today.

“The October deadline gives us a breathing space so that we can discuss the detail of the proposals. Our main fear is that the fixed fees that are currently proposed will lead to cherry picking of cases as some providers shift to undertaking more volume work at the expense of complex cases. Law Centres would rather walk away, than be part of a system that will not pay for good quality case work for poor and vulnerable clients,” says Hynes.

In its announcement the Government and Legal Services Commission also outlined plans to introduce a new unified contract for the private and not for profit sectors on 1st April.

“Given the delay to fixed fees I’m at a loss though to understand why they need to introduce the unified contract on 1st April. The Commission has yet to produce a completed draft to consult on. We will be putting strong representations to the Commission that they are in breach of their obligations under the voluntary sector compact if they press ahead with the 1st April deadline on this,” said Hynes.

ENDS

Press contact Steve Hynes

Tel- 020 7255 9592 mobile 07940 776408

Email:

Published: Wed 3 Jan, 2007