Legal aid proposals postponed

Plans which would see law firms bid for criminal legal aid work have been postponed by the government.

The proposals were due to come into effect in January 2011. However, they met opposition from companies operating in the sector and the timetable has been axed.

Over half of respondents to a consultation conducted by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) said that the timeframe was too quick and would not allow for the proper evaluation of pilot schemes due to take place in Greater Manchester and Avon and Somerset.

Justice minister Lord Bach said: "The LSC has listened carefully to concerns raised by those responding to the consultation and has been persuaded that there is a strong case for delaying the wider implementation of BVT until at least 2013."

He added that the proposals have been designed to provide the best value for taxpayers.

Writing in the Guardian last month, Louise Christian expressed concern that legal aid may eventually become a thing of the past.
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23/07/2009 14:42

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