Procurement of criminal legal aid in England and Wales
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Services Commission have today responded to the National Audit Office’s report into procurement of criminal legal aid in England and Wales.
Welcoming the report, Legal Aid Minister Willy Bach commented:
‘I would like to thank the NAO for the work that they have done and I and the LSC are keen to see the majority of their recommendations implemented as soon as possible.
‘I am concerned about the weaknesses previously identified by the NAO in the LSC’s control systems that have led to a substantial number of overpayments. I have therefore asked the Commission to put in place an action plan to recover these amounts and to impose tighter controls to ensure claims are more effectively scrutinised to prevent repetition.
‘On a more positive note I am confident that the reforms which the LSC started to introduce in 2006, such as the introduction of magistrates’ courts means assessment and police station fixed fees, have already strengthened the LSC’s controls over criminal legal aid funding. The NAO’s work will help the LSC to make further improvements.
‘In addition to the work already in hand, some weeks ago I asked Sir Ian Magee to review the existing delivery and governance arrangements of the legal aid system. Sir Ian is due to report back in January.’
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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