One impact of the 2/12/13 changes to the scope of Prison Law is that Legal Aid applications, in the Associated CLS Class of Work, under the Criminal Contract, to JR certain decisions are now being refused. The first we saw related to a categorisation decision, now out of scope, which was unceremoniously knocked back.
The refusal letter did however make clear that a firm with a Civil Contract in the Public Law category could apply, and implied that it would be granted. Our crime only client firm did not tender for such a contract in 2010.
I have today helped them make initial contact with the LAA to explore what avenues are now available to them. My glass is however half empty.
If you are caught in the same bind and would like some free resources, get in touch.
