Just as one swallow does not a summer make neither does 1 solicitor query herald a nationwide error on the part of the LAA. 3 in a short space of time in the early part of the day however….
On checking their newly received 2017 Contract Schedules these client’s discovered that they had a loud “NO” next to “Appeals and Reviews”. As per IFA 1.12 however
Applicants may tender to carry out Contract Work in the following Classes of Work at each Office from which they wish to deliver criminal legal aid services:
- Criminal Investigations and Criminal Proceedings (this includes Appeals and Reviews); and/or
- Prison Law (this includes Appeals and Reviews); or
- Appeals and Reviews only
Every firm who applied should automatically receive this authorisation. So check your schedules and confirm that you have it.
UPDATE
TLS have received the following confirmation frmo the LAA:
“I’m happy to confirm that in accordance with paragraph 1.12 of the Information for Applicants, all organisations that successfully tendered to undertake Criminal Investigations and Criminal Proceedings or Prison Law work may also undertake Appeals and Reviews work.
Appeals and Reviews is include in the grant of Criminal Investigations & Proceedings and Prison Law. In order to provide absolute certainty on the issue the schedule will be updated to reflect this before the contract commences but all the firms with these categories are covered from 1 April.
In the meantime contracts can continue to be accepted on their present basis and we will be contacting all those who have had their contract uploaded to confirm this.”
