*/
Profession
The first registration phase for the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has been extended, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced. The closing date for the Midland and Western Circuits, which are the first required to register for the scheme, has been put back from 10 January 2014 to 7 March 2014.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, BSB Chair Baroness Ruth Deech said: “The Ministry of Justice is scheduled to publish their final plans for legal aid during the first QASA registration period. Whilst QASA is a guardian of competence, not a pricing system, and sits separately from government plans, we recognise that the Bar will need time to reflect once the final legal aid plans have been announced.
“In addition to QASA, the BSB is working to help barristers adapt their business models so they can continue to provide excellent advocacy if the Government does choose to procure services in the new way,” she added.
All the Circuits apart from the Western, which was ballotting its members as Counsel went to press, have voted to boycott the scheme and pledged not to accept instructions on the Midland and Western Circuits. Announcing the result of the South Eastern Circuit vote on 20 May, Leader Sarah Forshaw QC said: “We have nothing to fear from a proper quality assessment... But what has emerged from the whole process is a quality assessment scheme that we believe to be fundamentally flawed.”
The BSB has denied any link between the extension and the boycott proposals. A spokesperson commented: “The BSB understands that the Circuits have voted to oppose quality appraisal as a means of expressing a view about the MoJ consultation on legal aid. That is misguided. QASA is there to protect the public from incompetence.
“The MoJ consultation raises distinct issues of public importance which need serious debate. A boycott of QASA is neither in the public interest nor an appropriate means of making that case.”
Michael Turner QC, Criminal Bar Association Chairman, said to Counsel: “If they are not linked, why not put off QASA until after the introduction of the contracts?”
The scheme’s final design was signed off by the BSB, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ILEX Professional Standards in April and submitted to the Legal Services Board for approval on 8 May. Although failure to register for QASA is not in itself a breach of the Code of Conduct, it would be a disciplinary offence to undertake criminal advocacy without being part of QASA.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, BSB Chair Baroness Ruth Deech said: “The Ministry of Justice is scheduled to publish their final plans for legal aid during the first QASA registration period. Whilst QASA is a guardian of competence, not a pricing system, and sits separately from government plans, we recognise that the Bar will need time to reflect once the final legal aid plans have been announced.
“In addition to QASA, the BSB is working to help barristers adapt their business models so they can continue to provide excellent advocacy if the Government does choose to procure services in the new way,” she added.
All the Circuits apart from the Western, which was ballotting its members as Counsel went to press, have voted to boycott the scheme and pledged not to accept instructions on the Midland and Western Circuits. Announcing the result of the South Eastern Circuit vote on 20 May, Leader Sarah Forshaw QC said: “We have nothing to fear from a proper quality assessment... But what has emerged from the whole process is a quality assessment scheme that we believe to be fundamentally flawed.”
The BSB has denied any link between the extension and the boycott proposals. A spokesperson commented: “The BSB understands that the Circuits have voted to oppose quality appraisal as a means of expressing a view about the MoJ consultation on legal aid. That is misguided. QASA is there to protect the public from incompetence.
“The MoJ consultation raises distinct issues of public importance which need serious debate. A boycott of QASA is neither in the public interest nor an appropriate means of making that case.”
Michael Turner QC, Criminal Bar Association Chairman, said to Counsel: “If they are not linked, why not put off QASA until after the introduction of the contracts?”
The scheme’s final design was signed off by the BSB, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ILEX Professional Standards in April and submitted to the Legal Services Board for approval on 8 May. Although failure to register for QASA is not in itself a breach of the Code of Conduct, it would be a disciplinary offence to undertake criminal advocacy without being part of QASA.
Profession
The first registration phase for the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has been extended, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced. The closing date for the Midland and Western Circuits, which are the first required to register for the scheme, has been put back from 10 January 2014 to 7 March 2014.
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
The long-running fee-paid judicial pensions saga continues. The current cut-off date for giving notice of election to join FPJPS is 31 March 2024, and that date now gives rise to a serious problem, warns HH John Platt