Andy and I are back at the helm, following a short break, just as we seem to heading for difficult waters. Our caseload is through the roof – we have 6 appeals at Middlesbrough and the field work is nuts – I am even coming out of retirement 2 days this week. We are starting to get the panic last minute SQM calls and everyone is getting gittery about the next procurement round. Add in telephone advice and it all feels a bit frantic – at least there is not a webinar this week.

25th May Civil Procurement

The LSC have indicated that post LASPO Civil contracts will start in April 2013. They have now announced the proposed timetable with the procurement round opening on 21st May. This, previously planned session, fits perfectly with this schedule and we hope to provide a comprehensive guide to making a successful bid. At the very least we will be able to show you how to register and to complete the PQQ – the ITT is happening separately and later in the year.

Again this is an essential course for those intending to continue with Family and Civil Legal Aid

I am going to buy this by Alabama Shakes next time I am in one of those record shops (Along with R Hawley).

Further outline guidance on the tender process for the Post LASPO Contracts has been released. Borrowing much from the recent non-competitive Family round this will involve bidding for “lots” with greater demand on this bidding at the higher end of NMS. The latter will not disappear as previously indicated.

It will be a 2 stage process this time with the PQQ being undertaken first in May ending in June, and the ITT in September and October. This will affect Family, Asylum, and Housing/Debt suppliers. Other category contracts will continue with necessary amendments to the terms.

You will have to have SQM/Lexcel by April 2013.

We are running the Webinar on this topic on 25th May – by which time the PQQ will be open and we should have the full IFA to explain.

The previous post has been followed up by a second helpful conversation with a second helpful person at the LSC, this within 3 working days. Lottery tickets for me at the weekend.

The first file on our next appeal is a nil assessed “committal” fee in the Magistrates Court. It is however a properly claimed Guilty Plea which was committed for sentence. I would like to ring the LSC now and say;

“Is this demonstrative of the standard of auditor knowledge throughout the sample? If so do you want to call it quits now? On the positive side you will be denying JRS a substantial fee”

This is not an exception.

LASPO has received Royal Assent.

This means we are full pace to its implementation in April 2013. Next stage a further Procurement Round.

You can, under the CCLF guidance, object to a Crown Court case being classified as “H” and seek payment, at a higher rate, in a more appropriate category. The case in hand involves serious breach of exportation rules and like cases have previously been paid under Category K – serious dishonesty. Currently the LSC want to pay at “B” as the exported items “might be used to commit violence”. Seems obvious to me.

I am surrounded by paper – all of which relates to audit decisions we are asked to challenge – so a pretty usual Monday then. One of these though is the first really daft finding of an SQMDP auditor, rather than one we think is a bit harsh or is a misinterpretation of the standard. What is does suggest to us is that there may well be a significant lack of understanding of small and/or sole practitioner firms especially those doing crime. This may well have a understandable cause – perhaps because the auditors are used to assessing larger predominantly private client firms.

These disagreements with SQMDP have previously been resolved inane entirely amicable basis – lets hope that this once can be too.

Its a PoP and a Formal Review after lunch with a conference call on a CCA at tea time.

For a number of reasons we only have 2 available Fridays for webinars in May – her is how we propose to use them.

4th May Surviving an SC Audit

Simon spoke at the recent Law Society Legal Aid Conference on this topic. This session is an expanded version of his contribution explaining all possible reasons why the LSC might wish to visit you and what you can expect. It also outlines the main ares of potential risk and provides guidance on how to achieve a successful outcome. Essential for all contracted firms civil or criminal.

25th May Civil Procurement

The LSC have indicated that post LASPO Civil contracts will start in April 2013. They have further indicated that the procurement round will begin in May this year. We have therefore scheduled this session in anticipation of a further bid round being imminent or even underway at this date. Either way we intend to provide a comprehensive guide to making sure you secure one on the new contracts.