Press Release

Criminal Contracts Extended

Monday 3 April 2006

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has written to all its criminal contract holders to let them know how it intends to deal with criminal contracts after 31 March 2007. We wanted to provide as much clarity as possible to providers about how we are preparing for the implementation of Lord Carter’s recommendations.

Outside London, the terms of the existing criminal contract state that the contract will be extended by 12 months from 31 March 2007, unless the LSC gives at least a year’s notice there will be no extension. The LSC has not given such notice, so the contracts will be extended until 31 March 2008.

In London, contracts have for some time been subject to a three-month notice period. The contract was due to expire on 30 June 2005, but was extended with no specified end date, subject to the LSC’s right to give three months’ notice. The LSC does not propose any changes to these contract terms.

However, as is widely known, Lord Carter is currently conducting a review of legal aid purchasing. It is likely that Lord Carter’s recommendations will start to be implemented before April 2008. To enable this to happen, the LSC has the option of terminating the contract with six-months’ notice, following a Direction by the Lord Chancellor. New contracts could be introduced on a phased basis across regions, depending on the way the new procurement arrangements are introduced.

Lord Carter’s detailed proposals for the delivery of criminal defence services are currently being developed and are expected to be published in late Spring.

ENDS

Media information

Richard Shand Tel: 020 7759 0491

Notes to editors

1.The letter that has been sent to all criminal contract holders can be found on the LSC’s website at www.legalservices.gov.uk/crimecontractnotice-letter310306.pdf.

Last updated: 28 December 2006