Press Releases pre-May 2010

Welcoming Sir Ian Magee’s review of legal aid delivery and governance, Sir Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Legal Services Commission, said:  “Sir Ian’s report provides much-needed clarity and rigour in defining the way ahead for the delivery of legal aid.  As he makes clear, the move to an Executive Agency will only succeed within a new, well-defined relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission.  I am committed to making this relationship work into the future.

“Agency status will ensure one policy voice and focus within the Ministry of Justice, streamline accountability for spend, while protecting individual funding decisions from ministerial involvement.  Whatever the changes to the organisation, the underlying challenge remains the same – the effective management of legal aid within a fixed budget, while ensuring that the necessary help is available to those who need it most.”

Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission, has announced that she will shortly be leaving as the organisation changes to become an Executive Agency.  Sir Bill Callaghan today paid tribute to “her sterling work in driving through significant changes in the Legal Services Commission and her inspirational leadership in moving forward the reforms suggested by Lord Carter.”

Carolyn Downs, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, will take over as Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission on an interim basis.  Sir Bill Callaghan said:  “I look forward to working with Carolyn Downs to meet the challenges ahead.”