CDS News

The Ministry of Justice has today announced that the Best Value Tendering pilots announced in July 2009 will not now proceed on 4 January.

Instead, Ministers have asked us to work with colleagues at the Ministry of Justice and the legal professions to develop outline proposals for a more ambitious programme for England and Wales. 

The considerable work which the LSC has put in to developing the pilots over the past months provides a good foundation on which to build these proposals.

Our overriding priority remains the delivery of high-quality legal aid for those who need it most at the best possible value for public money.  Those who rely on legal aid need to see the benefits of greater innovation and efficiency in the services they receive.

We will, of course, update the professions on next steps and the implications for the July 2010 crime Contract tender as soon as practicable.