What's new

We’ve published a response to our consultation on plans to introduce a system of best value tendering (BVT) for CDS contracts.

Take a look at the response and the consultation documents by visiting:

• CDS > Crime consultations > Best Value Tendering for CDS contracts 2010

About the consultation

On 27 March 2009 the LSC launched the second in the two-stage consultation on proposals to introduce a system of best value tendering. The consultation closed on 19 June 2009 and the LSC published the consultation response on 20 July 2009.

Our response

The consultation response sets out plans to pilot BVT for defence work carried out by solicitors in police stations and magistrates’ courts in two areas - Greater Manchester and Avon & Somerset.

The pilots, which will start in July 2010, will be fully evaluated. If successful, BVT will be not introduced in all other areas of England and Wales before 2013.

How we’ve modified our plans following consultation:

• Maintained and improved quality requirements for all firms who take part in tendering and quality requirements for delivery of service throughout the contract
• introduced a variable cap on an individual firm’s market share – so that firms have greater freedom to bid for higher volumes of work
• introduced a 10% tolerance quota for ‘own client’ work – so that BVT firms can work on ‘own client’ cases outside their home area
• accepted the online bidding system for tendering that the majority of firms said they preferred
• decided that BVT contract holders should have exclusive rights to work in magistrates' courts to further protect their access to cases.

Further information

For further information take a look at:

• CDS > Crime consultations > Best Value Tendering for CDS contracts 2010
• Our press release on the BVT consultation response
• CDS > Transforming criminal legal aid