It has taken a surprisingly long time, given previous experience, for the Crime SCC 2017 IFA to be revised to “V.2”. That happened yesterday evening.
There are 2 significant points:
1
Changes to the IFA text clarify the position regarding “expansion bids” and the need to provide financial information and business plans. These are ONLY required in expansion bids and not for other existing or new bidders. The key “clarification” is at 5.4 of the IFA and is the addition at ii) below
Where an Applicant
i currently has 10 or more Duty Solicitors and is intending to increase the number of Duty Solicitors it Engages by 50% or more; or
ii currently has 1 – 9 Duty Solicitors but intends to Engage 10 or more and this is an increase of 50% or more; or
iii. (being an Applicant who does not currently have any Duty Solicitors) is intending to Engage 10 or more Duty Solicitors
The other clarification is at 8.5 where it is confirmed that you can submit CRM 12s with an increase of up to 49% above the level of Duty Solicitors you currently engage, where you have not put in an expansion bid.
2
In almost all “lot” areas there is also a new V.2 Duty Information Form (DIF) which you MUST use to ensure access to Duty rotas. If you have already submitted a bid you need to delete the original V.1 DIF and replace it with a V.2
