*/
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.
Carol Storer, Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, said “independence” was an important concern, but added: “There will have to be legislation to effect this, which could take months or a year, and the issue of safeguarding independence will be addressed during that process.
“There are precedents across government, for example, housing benefit administration.” LSC Chair Sir Bill Callaghan said Regan had provided “inspirational leadership”. “Whatever the changes to the organisation, the underlying challenge remains the same – the effective management of legal aid within a fixed budget, while ensuring that the necessary help is available to those who need it most,” he said.
Sir Ian Magee said the LSC had been “given wide but largely undefined powers” when it was first set up, and “much has changed” over those ten years.
His “Review of Legal Aid Delivery and Governance”, commissioned by the MoJ and published in March, was the third major report to criticise the LSC in the last 12 months. In February, the Public Accounts Committee reported that a lack of clarity about the roles of the LSC and the MoJ was creating “uncertainty” and “duplication”. It found weak financial management and internal controls, and concluded the LSC lacked “strategic direction”. In October 2009, the National Audit Office qualified the LSC’s accounts due to an estimated £25 million overpayment to solicitors.
Carol Storer, Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, said “independence” was an important concern, but added: “There will have to be legislation to effect this, which could take months or a year, and the issue of safeguarding independence will be addressed during that process.
“There are precedents across government, for example, housing benefit administration.” LSC Chair Sir Bill Callaghan said Regan had provided “inspirational leadership”. “Whatever the changes to the organisation, the underlying challenge remains the same – the effective management of legal aid within a fixed budget, while ensuring that the necessary help is available to those who need it most,” he said.
Sir Ian Magee said the LSC had been “given wide but largely undefined powers” when it was first set up, and “much has changed” over those ten years.
His “Review of Legal Aid Delivery and Governance”, commissioned by the MoJ and published in March, was the third major report to criticise the LSC in the last 12 months. In February, the Public Accounts Committee reported that a lack of clarity about the roles of the LSC and the MoJ was creating “uncertainty” and “duplication”. It found weak financial management and internal controls, and concluded the LSC lacked “strategic direction”. In October 2009, the National Audit Office qualified the LSC’s accounts due to an estimated £25 million overpayment to solicitors.
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.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
