Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates

The development of a quality assurance scheme for advocates (QASA) was started in 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 input of all relevant stakeholders. The outputs of the LSC-led development can be found in the Documents section on the right of the page.

This work is now being led by the regulators operating as a Joint Advocacy Group (JAG). JAG is made up of the three main regulators of advocates – the Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ILEX Professional Standards.

JAG established an independent expert advisory group to be chaired by Lord Justice Thomas to assist with the initial development of the quality assurance process and, following its introduction, assess the operation of the scheme itself. The LSC sits on the Advisory Group with other key parties, including the legal profession, the judiciary and lay members representing the consumer interest.

JAG’s proposals for a scheme will be submitted to the Legal Services Board for approval in July 2011, with a view to the scheme being phased in from 1 January 2012.

Information about the scheme can be found on the regulators' websites: Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board.

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Last updated: 11 July 2011