What's new

Today (30 June) we published our consultation response on Civil Bid Rounds for 2010 Contracts.

The response sets out the face-to-face civil legal aid services we intend to commission from 2010 when the existing Unified Contract (Civil) ends.

The response can be found at:

• CLS > Civil consultations > Civil Bid Rounds for 2010 Contracts > Consultation Documents

About our proposals

The proposals for new contracts from April 2010 aim to ensure more integrated and accessible services for clients to respond to their needs.

The new contract proposals build on our strategies and aspirations for civil and family legal aid and are informed by research into the legal problems that clients experience.

These include:

• focusing funding on priority areas and cases, such as those involving domestic abuse or allegations of a significant breach of human rights;
• a joined-up and more effective approach to tackling the causes of legal problems and also integrating services, recognising that people often have linked problems.

The tender for the new contract will take place over six weeks from early September to mid-October this year. The new three-year contracts are due to be introduced in April 2010, as the present Unified Contract expires.

Responding to feedback

Our original proposals have been improved on, following feedback during the consultation. Key changes include:

• more clearly defining our requirements around consortia arrangements
• adjusting new matter start levels to respond to local conditions
• awarding family contracts for children-only services, recognising that this often requires specialism and a distinct approach

Procurement plans

The areas where the minimum thresholds are set will be informed by procurement plans. These plans will be published next week. They cover all family and social welfare procurement areas, with separate plans covering mental health and immigration and asylum services.  

Further information

For more information please visit:

• CLS > Civil consultations > Civil Bid Rounds for 2010 Contracts
• Alternatively contact the Civil Reform team.
• We will publish a Q&A document which will be updated weekly to reflect questions received at this address.
• Read our press release on our response to the 2010 Civil Bid Rounds consultation.