What's new
Second consultation on best value tendering and video presentation published
27 March 2009Shaping the future of criminal defence services
We today published our second consultation on detailed plans for tendering of criminal defence work in police stations and magistrates’ courts.
About best value tendering
The proposals set out how the present system of administratively set fees would move to a system whereby providers set their own fees through competition while maintaining the required high quality.
Under the proposals, two criminal justice system areas will pilot the tender mechanism - Greater Manchester and Avon & Somerset - with tenders starting in Oct 2009.
The proposal's aims
The proposals set out how the present system of administratively set fees would move to a competitive market while maintaining the required high quality.
They aim to:
- enable long-term sustainability of defence services
- offer value for taxpayers’ money
- secure an effective and efficient supplier base in all areas
- enable prices to better reflect costs in each area
- enable firms to bid for the right amount of work for them
- enable firms to restructure in ways that optimise their businesses
The pilot contracts would start in July 2010. In non-pilot areas, a new criminal contract will be brought in at the same time.
National Roll-out
A review of how the tender operated would then take place ahead of any further roll-out to other areas of England and Wales. The consultation includes an indicative timetable for roll-out at Annex 4, this shows tenders potentially starting on the following dates:- Pilot Tender - October 2009
- Phase 1 - June 2010
- Phase 2 - September 2010
- Phase 3 - December 2010
Video presentation
A video presentation about the proposals is now available via the BVT consultation.
The video includes a brief introduction from:
- Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
- Carolyn Regan Chief Executive of the LSC.
We hope that this will ensure any stakeholders can quickly access the key elements of the proposals.
Consultation events
We will run consultation events across England and Wales for practitioners. Find a calendar showing the dates of these events on the:
- Consultation page > Check the Calendar in the links panel on the right of the page.
The consultation lasts 12 weeks, ending 19 June.
Lord Bach's response
Legal Aid Minister, Lord Bach said: “Practitioners play a crucial role in ensuring there is an effective justice system that the public can trust. We want to give them and those they defend, certainty and stability. Solicitors will be able to offer their services at a price which they know is sustainable for them and that reflects the costs of provision in their local area.
"It also offers firms of all sizes the opportunity to secure levels of work that they can handle and allows them to expand should they wish to do so. These proposals will help to ensure that criminal legal aid continues to support those in need.”
Hugh Barrett's response
Launching the proposals for the LSC, Hugh Barrett, Executive Director of Commissioning said: “We believe that moving from a system of administratively set fees to a competitive market while maintaining quality is the right way forward for many of our publicly funded legal services.
“We have listened to providers’ views and concerns and they are reflected in the proposals. We believe we are proposing a tender system that is practical, will deliver sustainable results and will work.
“In police station and magistrates’ court work it will enable an effective and efficient supplier base to maintain its important work for those accused of crime. It offers greater value for taxpayers’ money, stability for the profession and long-term sustainability.”
Further information
For further information, please take a look at the consultation pages. Common queries can be answered by visiting:
- Consultation page > Consultation documents
and then checking document 15, 'Some Common Questions and Answers', at the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, contact the CDS Policy team direct.
Last updated: 21 April 2009