Me off the bench and back on the field not once but twice and for the full 90 minutes on the second occasion.

We have nearly obliterated our deadline list on the white board

5 walk-over SQM audit results

Excellent, but not precedent setting, cost appeal victory

Logistically most demanding (and longest) appeal ever written

Even the Yellow dog behaved in the park this morning.

Procurement round begins next week, deep joy

Perversely we have just won an appeal which we wanted to lose, so that the matter could progress to the Cost Appeals Committee for consideration of a Point of Principle. The LSC could now take this step but, as an individual ICA determination is not precedent setting, I guess that they will not wish to risk this. We anticipate they will prefer to keep on picking off firms on a one-by-one basis. I imagine that the client will be delighted.

I have not yet had chance to discuss this with the firm, who were fully onside with the above strategy. On that basis I do not want to provide any greater detail which might prejudice the issue. Hopefully will be able to say more next week – it is an issue which will be of interest to family lawyers.

Just as Rodney waves farewell another old trooper comes out of retirement to deliver one last virtuoso performance.

Yes yours truly is doing his first solo mock audit for a very long time. I tried to think of a equivalent from the world of entertainment but can’t, and no Robbie rejoining Take That is not it.

The advice line might be difficult to access today.

Long standing friend of this site Rodney Warren is stepping down as Director of the CLSA, though not from his myriad of other roles. It goes without saying that he will be missed by all who share, and have appreciated, his dogged advocacy in support of justice.

HSBC have opened their Conveyancing panel to all those on the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).

If this is a standard you now want, urgently to achieve give us a ring because “We do CQS too” .

If you want us directly to assist you with your bid please ring Jayne and she will book you a slot. (We cannot confirm fees as yet – we need to see the E-portal and come up with a reasonable price – it is NOT likely to be more than last time). This will again involve a conference phone call and utilise the Webinar software so that we can complete the forms together.

If you just want that little bit of “comfort” training then the Webinar on Friday 25th May, at £60 + VAT, is the one for you.

As of tea time yesterday we have had 3 successful SQM Audits with clients so far this week – all with remarkably low levels of recorded non-compliance (as I insist on still calling it). This continues our fieldwork teams 100% record.

I had my first hands-on experience of audit preparation yesterday under the latest version of the standard. My immediate difficulty was NOT to look at files from another angle – Contract Compliance, cost assessment or old style franchising. We know, for instance, that they spend only a small amount of time on files, just looking for very basic evidence of compliance – a CCL or a close of case letter for instance. A dramatic reduction in focus was therefore needed. The experience has however left me certain that auditors without a detailed knowledge of Legal Aid will miss essential elements of the old requirements. I am more concerned however that (understandable) confusion about the requirements on Costs Advice may lead to mistaken findings. Ho hum, not our problem – our punters remain delighted.

On a genuinely worrying note however, are the 2 recent calls thi, both from London firms, who seem only just to have spotted the end July deadline – not sure that even our guys have time enough to help put that right.

More unhappy reading regarding costs – this time re Payments on Account. This is a helpful summary of the state of play on the LSCs UPOA policy and approach.

We will be offering a full package of assistance with the next procurement round. Detail will follow once we get to see the detail, which is currently a bit sketchy to say the least. So – watch this space.

This seems appropriate for a belated Friday Song. He, Boo Hewerdine, played it second in Saturdays set, with the introduction – “I will play you my hit before you turn on me”. (It was popularised by Eddi Reader who took it to No. 4 in the charts).

This was a fantastic, intimate gig organised by great local promoters The Kids are Solid Gold and which also featured the excellent local artiste Elaine Palmer, (thought her site seems a little out of date).

As you can see he is also performing as part of “State of the Union” who are worth checking out also – the album is great.