Information & resources
On this page:
- Welsh Language Scheme Consultation Paper
- Regional Delivery Plan for the allocation of additional Matter Starts 2005/06
- Tools and desk aids
- CC Audit checklist
- Work processed
- Volumes of work
- National targets
- Settlement run dates
- Senior Management Team information
- The Legal Services Committee for Wales
- Advice Strategy for Wales
- Community Care
- Joint Work with the Welsh Assembly Government
- Making Legal Rights a Reality for Children and Families
- Corporate Plan - Strategic Objectives and Corporate Targets
Welsh Language Scheme Consulation Paper
The Legal Services Commission has prepared a Welsh Language Scheme setting out how we propose to deliver services to the public in Welsh. The public consultation runs until the 1 November 2005 and the Commission is inviting comments and responses from members of the public who may be affected by the scheme. More information and pdf versions of the Consultation Paper are available from the Other Consultations pages in the CLS and CDS sections of the website.
Regional Delivery Plan for the allocation of additional Matter Starts 2005/06
To help more people to get access to good quality legal advice the Commission is allocating up to 10% more matter starts to specialist contracts. Priority will normally be given to existing legal aid suppliers, but potential suppliers can also apply.
A package of measures will support this activity:
- Increases in case starts will be given to suppliers guaranteed until April 2007
- Increases will be given in larger blocks
- Suppliers will be given flexibility to open cases in different priority categories of law
- The devolved power to self-authorise matter starts will be extended
- The use of the CLS Development Fund to give grants to help suppliers build capacity
Each LSC region has published a Delivery Plan setting out their key priorities which can be found on this page. All suppliers interested in applying for the initial funding allocation should read their local Regional Plan and respond by the deadline provided. Regional Plans will be regularly updated.
The process and criteria which will apply in all regions to the allocation of matter starts and incentives are set out in the Matter Start Allocation Guidance document which is also available on this page.
Tools and Desk Aids
The LSC website now holds all forms used by our suppliers and each of these has an information sheet on how to complete it.
CC Audit Checklist
This is available from the Related Documents box.
Work Processed
Cardiff processes
- Legal Applications and associated Means Assessments
- Civil Bills with and without Statutory Charge issues
- Funding Review Committee appeals both legal and financial
- Special Cases Unit applications and bills for high costs cases
- Civil Case Audits
- Criminal Case Audits
Volumes of work
Our average intakes on a weekly basis are:
| Bills (including CLAIM 4s) | 691 |
| Family Graduated Fees | 106 |
| Civil Costs Correspondence | 201 |
| Applications | 247 |
| Amendments/Authorities | 213 |
| Means Assessments | 247 |
| Legal Correspondence | 58 |
| Means Correspondence | 193 |
National targets
| Item | Target % | July % |
| Bills | 100 | 98 |
| Family Graduated Fees | 100 | |
| Correspondence | 100 | 80 |
| Legal Applications | 100 | 96 |
| Amendments | 100 | 100 |
Settlement run dates
Cheque run dates
| Month | Cut-off date | Payment date |
| January first settlement | 05/01/2007 | 11/01/2007 |
| January second settlement | 19/01/2007 | 25/01/2007 |
| February first settlement | 02/02/2007 | 08/02/2007 |
| February second settlement | 16/02/2007 | 22/02/2007 |
| March first settlement | 02/03/2007 | 08/03/2007 |
| March second settlement | 16/03/2007 | 22/03/2007 |
| April first settlement | 06/04/2007 | 12/04/2007 |
| April second settlement | 20/04/2007 | 26/04/2007 |
| May first settlement | 11/05/2007 | 17/05/2007 |
| May second settlement | 25/05/2007 | 31/05/2007 |
| June first settlement | 01/06/2007 | 07/06/2007 |
| June second settlement | 15/06/2007 | 21/06/2007 |
Senior Management Team Information
Senior Management Team (SMT) information can be found on our Contact & feedback page.
The Legal Services Committee for Wales
Members of the Legal Services Committee for Wales meet bi-monthly to discuss and decide on the range and accessibility of legal advice services in Wales. The two formal aims are to advise the Commission on:
- need and how it should spend its funding
- the development of the Community Legal Service
The committee currently has the following members:
- Tom Jones OBE (Chair)
- Roy Morgan
- Professor John Williams
- Fran Targett
- Professor Margaret Griffiths
- Roger Chater
- Bob Chapman
Advice Services Strategy for Wales
The Draft Advice Services Strategy for Wales has been produced by the Community Legal Service (CLS) National Forum for Wales. Membership of the CLS National Forum is diverse and consists of Policy Makers, Funders, National Providers, Equalities Commissions and a variety of Regional or National organisations.
The Strategy sets out desired outcomes, action plans, and targets set, in respect of information and advice service provision, public awareness, local partnerships, and funding in Wales.
The consultation period closed on Friday 12 August.
Community Care
The Legal Services Commission recognises that there are many people who need a helping hand with everyday tasks.
Whether through an impairment or illness, or perhaps they are a carer for an adult or child. This may be someone with a physical or learning disability, or someone who is elderly. Whoever they are, they may be able to get Community Care – which can include anything from meals on wheels to temporary or permanent stays in a care home.
Three sets of guidance have now been produced. These aim to assist Voluntary Sector organisations and advocacy services, hospital based advocacy services and health and social Services staff to identify when clients may benefit from legal advice for their Community Care rights. The guidance identifies those organisations in Wales who can provide quality specialist legal advice on Community Care matters.
The guidance can be found on this page under Related Documents.
Joint Work with the Welsh Assembly Government
The Legal Services Commission works closely with the Welsh Assembly Government on a number of policy areas and initiatives. For further information on the Welsh Assembly Government, please visit the National Assembly for Wales website.
Making Legal Rights a Reality for Children and Families
In March 2007 we published 'Making Legal Rights a Reality for Children and Families', our five-year strategy for family legal aid.
In our strategy we set out our priorities for funding family legal aid, our framework for decision making and how we intend to work with other parts of the family justice system.
There are two volumes of our family strategy: Volume one details our priorities and objectives and how we will deliver them. Volume two provides the context for our strategy and a synopsis of the information that has shaped decision making.
Welsh versions of both volumes can be found under 'Related Documents', on the right of this page. English versions are also available on the CLS> Policy Development pages.
Our proposals link closely with the CLS strategy and will help us deliver an effective and sustainable scheme for family legal aid.
Proposals include introducing: Fixed fees for solicitors, experts and barristers; An effective use of funding test in public law proceedings; A stronger presumption to mediate in private law proceedings and Best value tendering for family legal services.
More information on the family strategy can be found on our CLS>Family pages.
Corporate Plan - Strategic Objectives and Corporate Targets
The LSC Corporate Plan has recently been published. Within the Corporate Plan are our Strategic objectives and corporate targets for the year and these have been translated in to Welsh. They are available for download under 'Related Documents', on the right hand side of this page.
Last updated: 16 August 2005