CDS News

Tendering of the 2010 Criminal Contract, which LSC had announced would begin in October, will be deferred for at least two months.

This is to allow time for the MoJ to respond to its current consultation ‘Legal aid: funding reforms’.

The MoJ consultation, published in August, includes proposals to change payment rates for work carried out under the Criminal Contract.

The LSC’s view is that it would be unreasonable to start the tendering process for the contract – which includes best value tendering in pilot areas - until the rates are known.

As a result, the LSC will delay the tender until after the MoJ has responded to its consultation. MoJ has stated it will respond by December 2009. 

We hope to publish the revised timescales shortly.

For more information

LSC website: Tenders (CDS)  

MoJ website: ‘Legal aid: funding reforms’