Counsel Magazine

The Bar Council has welcomed the news that the Legal Services Commission (“LSC”) is to become an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (“MoJ”).

The change in status will see the MoJ taking tighter control of the £2.1 billion legal aid budget. A Bill will be introduced to implement the changes as soon as Parliamentary time allows. Carolyn Regan, who has served as the LSC’s Chief Executive for three and a half years, resigned following the announcement, which implements a recommendation of Sir Ian Magee’s review into the delivery of legal aid. Carolyn Downs, an MoJ Civil Servant, has been appointed interim Chief Executive.