Post by Colin Henderson on Sept 17, 2010 13:23:55 GMT
Latest update from Law Soc today is as follows:
"The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has not accepted our proposed terms of reference (PDF) for an immediate nationwide review of the tender outcome and its impact on access to justice. So we have continued to prepare for our expedited judicial review hearing, which will be heard before Mr Justice Beatson in the High Court in London on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 September.
The LSC did not comply with the direction laid down by Mr Justice Irwin to serve its evidence by the end of Friday 10 September and did not finally serve it until Tuesday 14 September. Our evidence in response is due to be served later today. One grouping of firms remains joined as an interested party to the proceedings, though three other parties have applied to be joined too. Our aim remains that the court timetable is not derailed so that judgment can be delivered by Friday 24 September and the uncertainty for the profession resolved at the earliest possible opportunity."
The High Court today unexpectedly postponed the hearing of the Law Society's expedited judicial review application by two days. The hearing had been due to take place today and tomorrow, but will now take place on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 September. Judgment is now expected to be delivered early next week instead of this Friday.
The reason for the postponement arose out of a last minute decision by the Court that a two judge Divisional Court should hear the case. Lord Justice Munby joined Mr Justice Beatson in Court today but then had to recuse himself because of a personal reference he had given to a partner in one of the intervening firms. Lord Justice Moses was appointed to take his place but could only be made available from Thursday.
Preparations for the hearing concluded yesterday. Please read the Law Society's skeleton argument (PDF). In the absence of any significant movement by the Legal Services Commission on the access to justice issue, the relief sought by the Law Society will now include quashing the family law tender round and an extension of the current family law contracts.
Post by Patrick Torsney on Sept 25, 2010 8:10:47 GMT
A bit off tack but background nonetheless, in written answers and statements 16 September 2010, one of the things that Jonathon Djanogly said in reply was:
Together with representative bodies (the Advice Services Alliance, the Legal Aid Practitioners' Group and Resolution) the LSC will be conducting a review of the outcomes of the tender process and will consider in detail any areas of concern identified.
The actual question was:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the recent tendering exercise by the Legal Services Commission on the ability of the most vulnerable people to gain access to legal advice and representation.
You can read the complete answer from Djanogly, here:
Post by Patrick Torsney on Sept 27, 2010 6:47:07 GMT
Personally, I think it's disappointing that the various representative bodies could not stand together on this and that the Law Society has had to go it alone. I genuinely hope they are successful. At the very least, they have my respect for drawing a line in the sand
Regardless of my blather, this is the week! It's history in the making and we're all part of it
If anyone hears anything then please let everyone know here on ilegal, I'm sure we'll be getting people checking in for the latest. One way or another, things 'should' be clearer by the end of this week for everyone. Here's hoping....
