*/
MPs have warned legal aid reforms are threatening the future of the junior Bar, in a damning report on the Legal Services Commission (“LSC”).
The Committee of Public Accounts (“PAC”) report into legal aid procurement, published in February, criticised the LSC for having “lax” financial controls and management information which, for example, led it to overpay solicitors by £25 million in 2008-09 resulting in it having its accounts qualified. It attacked the LSC over its “poor financial management” and lack of knowledge about the costs and profitability of legal aid law firms.
It also warns that the increased use of solicitors in Crown Court work is threatening the long-term future of the junior criminal Bar and may be affecting the quality of advocacy in those courts.
Edward Leigh MP, chairman of the committee, said: “The LSC has been doing a far from competent job of buying legal aid from lawyers. “The Commission’s plans, recently abandoned, to introduce price competition in the legal services market were hamstrung by its lack of knowledge of that market.”
Paul Mendelle QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “After years of training, young barristers enter the profession burdened by debts running into tens, often scores, of thousands of pounds. “They work extremely long hours and earn modest incomes, out of which they have to pay all their own expenses, for many years. Cuts like these will hurt the junior Bar most and will force many to give up publicly funded work.”
Nick Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: “It is galling, to say the least, for the Bar to witness such very damaging financial mismanagement.” An LSC spokesperson said: “We will consider the PAC report carefully and submit a formal response in due course.”
It also warns that the increased use of solicitors in Crown Court work is threatening the long-term future of the junior criminal Bar and may be affecting the quality of advocacy in those courts.
Edward Leigh MP, chairman of the committee, said: “The LSC has been doing a far from competent job of buying legal aid from lawyers. “The Commission’s plans, recently abandoned, to introduce price competition in the legal services market were hamstrung by its lack of knowledge of that market.”
Paul Mendelle QC, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “After years of training, young barristers enter the profession burdened by debts running into tens, often scores, of thousands of pounds. “They work extremely long hours and earn modest incomes, out of which they have to pay all their own expenses, for many years. Cuts like these will hurt the junior Bar most and will force many to give up publicly funded work.”
Nick Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: “It is galling, to say the least, for the Bar to witness such very damaging financial mismanagement.” An LSC spokesperson said: “We will consider the PAC report carefully and submit a formal response in due course.”
MPs have warned legal aid reforms are threatening the future of the junior Bar, in a damning report on the Legal Services Commission (“LSC”).
The Committee of Public Accounts (“PAC”) report into legal aid procurement, published in February, criticised the LSC for having “lax” financial controls and management information which, for example, led it to overpay solicitors by £25 million in 2008-09 resulting in it having its accounts qualified. It attacked the LSC over its “poor financial management” and lack of knowledge about the costs and profitability of legal aid law firms.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
National courts are now running the bulk of the world’s war crimes cases and corporate prosecutions are part of this growing trend, reports Chris Stephen
