Policy
23 July, 2007
LSC agree to Race Equality Impact Assessment of legal aid reforms
Legal action brings 'a significant move forward for legal aid practitioners'
In settlement of judicial review proceedings brought against it by Black Solicitors Network and the Society of Asian Lawyers, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has agreed to undertake a consultation and full cumulative Race Equality Impact Assessment of Best Value Tendering.
NB - Best Value Tendering is the main plank of the government's proposed legal aid reforms and has yet to be introduced.
In addition, as a result of the legal action, that was also supported by the Law Society, the LSC will also undertake a retrospective cumulative Race Equality Impact Assessment on the main legal aid reform changes already, or about to be, implemented for the Criminal Defence Service.
Welcoming the concessions made by the LSC as 'a significant move forward for legal aid practitioners', Law Society president Andrew Holroyd added that -
'The government's legal aid proposals represent a substantial risk to black and minority ethnic firms, a great number of which may be forced out of the market if the reforms go through, with effects not only on them but on the minority communities they serve. We are pleased that a proper impact assessment of the reforms will finally be conducted.'
For more information, see the Law Society press release Law Society claims legal aid victory for minorities.
See also the related rightsnet policy news stories -
- Government faces double challenge over legal aid reforms: Law Society, CRE and ethnic minority law firms go to the high court (9 July, 2007)
- Government still fails 'to recognise the fundamental flaws in its proposals for legal aid reform': Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee seeks urgent Parliamentary debate on Carter report proposals (26 June, 2007)
- High Court refuses first attempt at judicial review of the unified contract: Application for extension of old civil contract also turned down (7 June, 2007)
- Law Society issues judicial review proceedings: LSC's right to unilaterally amend the unified contract to be challenged (27 April, 2007)
- Law Society threaten judicial review on unified contract: Legal Services Commission urged to delay contract implementation (27 March, 2007)
