*/
THE Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have today welcomed the publication of a consultation paper on a proposed payment scheme for Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs).
The proposals have been drafted by a steering group comprising representatives from the legal profession, including the Bar Council, the Ministry of Justice, the CBA, the Law Society, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The steering group was tasked with the production of a viable scheme which would ensure appropriate fees for advocates conducting VHCCs, to replace the contract system previously announced by the LSC.
With a new scheme due to come into effect by July 2009, the consultation period for these proposals will run from the 19th December 2008 until the 30th January 2009. The proposals include:
Commenting on the proposals, Tim Dutton QC, former Chairman of the Bar, said:
‘I am very pleased that the steering group has produced a robust scheme, which is testament to the professionalism and goodwill which all involved have shown. In particular, the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw MP, has provided crucial momentum to the process of securing equitable and workable arrangements. The proposed scheme should provide a fair payment mechanism, which reflects the complexity of the cases in question, and the concomitant expertise required of those advocates who conduct them. It will deliver within budget.
It is vital for our justice system that these long and complex cases are conducted by the most qualified and experienced advocates – and that they are fairly remunerated for the work which they put in and the level of responsibility. Anything less would not be in the public interest.
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, added: ‘The Criminal Bar Association welcomes these proposals, and I would urge all interested parties to respond to the consultation. VHCCs must be run in an efficient and effective way. It is vital that, as a profession, we provide accurate feedback to the steering group to enable them to assess the response to their proposals. This consultation offers the profession the chance to make their voice heard.’
Commenting on the proposals, Tim Dutton QC, former Chairman of the Bar, said:
‘I am very pleased that the steering group has produced a robust scheme, which is testament to the professionalism and goodwill which all involved have shown. In particular, the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw MP, has provided crucial momentum to the process of securing equitable and workable arrangements. The proposed scheme should provide a fair payment mechanism, which reflects the complexity of the cases in question, and the concomitant expertise required of those advocates who conduct them. It will deliver within budget.
It is vital for our justice system that these long and complex cases are conducted by the most qualified and experienced advocates – and that they are fairly remunerated for the work which they put in and the level of responsibility. Anything less would not be in the public interest.
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, added: ‘The Criminal Bar Association welcomes these proposals, and I would urge all interested parties to respond to the consultation. VHCCs must be run in an efficient and effective way. It is vital that, as a profession, we provide accurate feedback to the steering group to enable them to assess the response to their proposals. This consultation offers the profession the chance to make their voice heard.’
THE Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have today welcomed the publication of a consultation paper on a proposed payment scheme for Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs).
The proposals have been drafted by a steering group comprising representatives from the legal profession, including the Bar Council, the Ministry of Justice, the CBA, the Law Society, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The steering group was tasked with the production of a viable scheme which would ensure appropriate fees for advocates conducting VHCCs, to replace the contract system previously announced by the LSC.
With a new scheme due to come into effect by July 2009, the consultation period for these proposals will run from the 19th December 2008 until the 30th January 2009. The proposals include:
Chair of the Bar reports back
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines
With gender earnings inequality at the Bar getting worse, not better, Judith Ayling KC discusses concrete solutions and collective action – including steps taken by the Personal Injuries Bar Association
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse
