Quality and performance

Reviewing quality assurance

The LSC has engaged with a quality working group comprising all the key representatives and regulatory bodies to review its processes for quality assurance.

Fo more information email accreditation@legalservices.gsi.gov.uk

Assuring quality in the reformed legal aid system

The LSC is committed to improving quality standards for clients. Only providers who deliver good quality advice to clients will be able to work in legal aid in the future.

Our policy paper 'Assuring And Improving Quality in the Reformed Legal Aid System' is under Documents, supported by a Q&A.

Quality measurement tools

The LSC is committed to ensuring clients have access to quality legal advice. Peer Review is an assessment of the competency of advice

Assuring quality for advocates

The development of a quality assurance scheme for advocates was started as a response to a recommendation in Lord Carter’s 2006 report on legal aid. The work was initially taken forward by the LSC and MoJ with the involvement all relevant bodies and stakeholders.

This work is now being led by the regulators operating as a Joint Advocacy Group.

Information about the scheme can be found on the regulators' websites: SRA and BSB

The Quality Mark

Only organisations that hold the Quality Mark can do legal aid work. We are reviewing the application and assessment process.

How we measure performance

The LSC is accountable to the government and the taxpayer for money paid out under contracts. We carry out Cost Compliance Audits to provide assurance that contract work is:

in line with the reasons why legal aid was granted
being carried out according to the contract rules.