Being a blog and not a national newspaper we don’t give away free DVDs of crap films you don’t want to see again. Instead we offer fantastic free downloads of precedent SQM materials. Today we extend the Generators, Forms & Std Letters bit on the sidebar to include our standard job descriptions. You’ll not get […]
We have recieved a result from the Manchester CC hearing mentioned here. This involved, predominantly, two enhancements arguments, an issue we have discussed many times before, most recently in the context of the LSC’s poposals for “reform” of the appeals process. (In this post we share some of our thoughts on this subject). You might […]
Have just had a call regarding a forthcoming Cost Committee hearing raising an issue recently encountered with the new Mental Health cost assessment unit. In both cases the Commission are insisting that the appeals be heard out of region – Liverpool for MH and London for Immigration. This can’t be right can it? Has anyone […]
The LSC has announced that the CDS Direct project is to be extended. This should lead to a projected five million pound saving. This is however a side issue and it is the welfare of hard pressed Duty Solicitors, “drained” by unnecessary middle of the night call outs which is of most concern. We are […]
Regulars here will know that we refer to our CPD training activities as “shouting”. If therefore you have been a recent “shoutee” you will possibly remember our advice to maintain a log of rejected and refused applications for substantive legal aid certificates (family and civil). There is, of course, a related CMRC indicator and now, […]
Andy has been audit sitting giving him the a good read of Focus 51. Click on the blue continue reading link to get the juicy bits.
An early Law Society survey findings into practitioners thoughts on LSC/Carter proposed fee levels here. HAT TIP Anon in the comments box below.
For your entertainment, if you have not seen it already, here is a cartoon and a joke from the latest LAPG newsletter. Many thanks to the artist, Jonathan Payne, for allowing us to reproduce it and also to Jane Hucknall for bringing it to our attention. P.S. we know the text is usually directed at […]
I had a day out of the firing line yesterday, to consolidate my reading of all the current consultation documents, in preparation for this. I was still unable to dodge all the phone queries, one of which included the first failed Crime CCA in some time. A couple of others related directly to my reading […]
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group has today launched a discussion forum on its website for practitioners to share their concerns about Lord Carter’s reforms. It is available to anyone to contribute, not just LAPG members. It can be accessed here Director Richard Miller said, “It is vitally important that the profession reads the Carter report […]