From, thirdsector.co.uk news:

"The London Advice Services Alliance is closing its appeals team with the loss of four jobs because of funding changes by the Legal Services Commission.

The appeals team, which represents people who are claiming benefits and have been refused, will close in October - one year after the commission, which runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales, introduced new unified contracts."

Is anybody monitoring the overall situation about closures anywhere that can be seen?

It looks like individual networks may be monitoring the closures/effects on their own services but not the overall situation. From a policy viewpoint I would be very interested to hear from advisers about the impact it is having in their local area. Please contact me at wpang@lasa.org.uk

The LSC's response to Lasa's closure of appeals team in article in Community Newswire.

"The LSC is disappointed that Lasa has decided to withdraw from welfare benefits work. However, the LSC rejects Lasa's claim that fixed fees are responsible for the closure.

"The LSC recognises that some legally aided cases, even at the initial advice level, are more difficult than others and will involve more time. Cases where the time taken would cost more than three times the fixed fee will be paid for on hourly rates. Complex cases, involving court proceedings, can also move onto a legal aid certificate and be paid for on a different basis.

"The LSC's first concern lies with Lasa's clients. The LSC will work with Lasa in order to ensure that disruption to current clients is minimised and they continue to have access to quality assured legal advice. Lasa's clients should contact the organisation for further information."


I would like to know:
How many welfare benefits cases move onto a legal aid certificate?
Why since October 2007 there have only been 180 cases from the Nfp sector that have been passed on for assessment as exceptional cases and a similar amount for the private sector?

http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5071249