How peer review works

On this page:

What are the stages of peer review?
What is the output of peer review?
How are peer review results fed back?
How does peer review affect providers?
Can providers challenge a peer review result?

What are the stages of peer review?

random file list generated
files requested from provider (14 days to submit files)
files received at filing centre
conflicts checked and files assigned to peer reviewer
files sent to regional office
files reviewed by peer reviewer
once files reviewed they are returned to the provider
report compiled by peer reviewer
report sent for validation
final report sent to provider.

What is the output of peer review?

After reviewing sample files the peer reviewer writes a report consisting of:

their findings
positive areas
aeas for improvement
the overall quality rating.

The overall quality of advice provided is assessed on this rating:

Excellence (1)
Competence Plus (2)
Threshold Competence (3)
Below Competence (4)
Failure in Performance (5)

How are peer review results fed back?

All providers receive a written report detailing the results.

LSC staff will not be able to explain, justify or alter the report or the ratings decision. This is an independent assessment written by the peer reviewer.

LSC staff may discuss with the provider how the rating will affect their contract, entry onto schemes or pilots.

How does peer review affect providers?

For ratings of Below Competence (4) or Failure in Performance (5) a further peer review (with different case files and a different peer reviewer) will be conducted.

If this review confirms the rating the LSC will take further action. This may affect:

the provider’s contract
entry onto schemes/pilots, eg Best Value Tendering.

Can providers challenge a peer review result?

Providers can challenge their peer review results using the representations process for the two lowest ratings.

The peer reviewer will consider the representations made and discuss these with a senior panel member. These are appointed by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies from the existing panel of peer reviewers.

Together they will decide:

whether amendments should be made to the report
if the rating should be changed.

If the peer reviewer and senior panel member cannot agree the rating, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies will speak to an individual with recognised expertise in the category of law.

Their role is not to determine the rating but to provide expertise that should assist the peer reviewers to reach agreement.

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Last updated: 02 September 2008