CDS News

In early December 2009, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) published Very High Cost (Crime) Cases 2010 – A Consultation Paper setting out proposals for a future VHCC scheme for litigators and advocates. This consultation closed on 8 February 2010.

Later in December 2009, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published its consultation paper ‘Legal Aid: Reforming Advocates Graduated Fees’. This consultation closed on 24 February 2010.

However, recently, the MoJ reopened that consultation for a further four-week period, closing on 1 April 2010.

The LSC accepts that there is a close relationship between the two consultations and we are keen to hear the views expressed in response to that consultation before we make any decisions on a future VHCC scheme for either litigators or advocates.

Therefore, we will postpone publication of our VHCC 2010 response to consultation until the MoJ and we have had the opportunity to consider all responses.

We are however mindful of the VHCC contract expiration date in July 2010. Whilst no decisions have yet been taken with regard to a future VHCC scheme, we have now reached a point where, should a decision be taken to implement a new Panel scheme, we are no longer in a position to run a tendering exercise and issue Panel contracts in time for July 2010.

We will therefore put in place a set of individual case contracting arrangements. These will operate until any new arrangements are in place.

We will of course consult representative bodies about the terms of these contracts.

We will endeavour to set out the longer term direction of VHCCs as soon as we can.

For further information please contact Matt Shelley at  vhccproject@legalservices.gov.uk