  LAPG has largely welcomed the publication of the long-awaited consultation paper on the roll-out of the preferred supplier scheme. The key proposals outlined in the consultation document are: * only preferred suppliers will have a legal aid contract * more devolved decision-making powers, and faster LSC decision-making on non-devolved decisions (primarily those involving high cost cases). * simplified billing and claiming processes * reduced inspection and auditing and instead the use of risk-based, largely remote, performance management tools; providers to take greater responsibility for managing their own performance. * higher up-front entry criteria. * an LSC relationship manager to work closely with each preferred supplier * preferred supplier status to be awarded to organisations or firms, not individual offices. * e-business to be used for all transactions between the LSC and preferred suppliers Implementation of the scheme is expected to take three years, and will be closely linked to the progress of Lord Carter's reforms.
LAPG is disappointed that much of the detail of the scheme is omitted pending the publication of Lord Carter's final report. "Issues such as how value for money is to be assessed will be crucial in developing a workable scheme. This paper leaves us none the wiser as to what the criteria will be," said Richard Miller, the group's director. The group is also concerned about the balance between quality and cost. Chairman Roy Morgan said, "The LSC would like all firms to achieve at least level 2 on peer review: competence plus. So would I. The reality, however, is that many firms are assessed only at threshold competence, and do not feel that current remuneration levels enable them to make the investment necessary to achieve a higher standard. Excluding these firms, which are at least competent even if not ideal, would create even worse advice deserts than we currently have. The quality of work cannot be considered in isolation from the rates paid for it." Miller also expressed concerns about how quickly the LSC can reasonably complete the roll-out of the scheme, and said it should set a more realistic timeframe. Overall, however, the group welcomed the proposals. Morgan said, "A light-touch audit system with firms the LSC is willing to trust has to be the way forward. We are delighted that the Commission agrees, and look forward to working together on the detail of the assessment process." |
