Law Society response to LSC's latest consultation

11 April 2008

In response to the Legal Services Commission’s (LSC) launch yesterday of the Delivery Transformation Consultation, which aims to transform the way legal service providers interact with the LSC, Law Society legal aid manager, Richard Miller, says:

“The Law Society has been saying for several years that a system where practitioners are trusted to make professional decisions is best for clients, the LSC, taxpayers and the profession. This is a step in the right direction for the LSC.”

“However, devolving decision making to firms should not automatically mean a strict, punishing audit process. While it is important to have audit processes in place, occasional mistakes made in good faith and differences of judgement between the firm and auditor should not result in draconian penalties.

“Such punishment must be reserved for fraud or systematic misapplication of the rules.”

“There could be an administrative burden on firms under the LSC’s plans and it is essential costs associated with that burden be minimised and firms are compensated.”

“The greater reliance on electronic working must be dealt with cautiously. Lessons must be learned from the problems encountered with LSC Online. New systems must be introduced gradually and stringent safeguards at every stage put in place.”