The Legal Services Commission has announced that it will not appeal against the High Court’s judgment following the Law Society’s successful challenge to the family tender process.
It said any appeal would only prolong uncertainty over the future of the family contracts, causing difficulties for clients and providers.
The commission added that it is working closely with representative bodies and the Ministry of Justice on the future of the family and housing contract process. In particular, it is considering the future extension of the unified contract for family, and family and housing matters, which currently runs until midnight on 14 December 2010; harmonisation of family fees; and the allocation of new matter starts.
LSC chair Bill Callaghan said: ‘Our priority must always be to ensure that family legal aid clients get the help and legal advice they need. We still have some work to do but we hope that this constructive engagement with the profession will help to provide certainty for clients and providers.’
Law Society president Linda Lee said: 'We are pleased that the LSC has expressed an eagerness to engage with the Law Society and the solicitors' profession on this matter, and we hope it will now recognise that the Society and its members' insight and experience can make a valuable contribution to the reshaping of legal aid and legal service provision.'
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