Transforming legal Aid Consultation
The Greater Manchester Steering Group on the proposals to transform legal aid have arranged a meeting to discuss and debate the new consultation which is due to close on 18th October 2013.
The meeting will take place on 8th October 2013 at 6pm at Friends Meeting House, Manchester.
The room can accommodate up to 300 people so the more people that can attend the better.
The consultation has far reaching consequences not only for firms but for all legal professionals and therefore please can you distribute this email to all in your firm and encourage anyone with an interest to attend.
Please also distribute this information to anyone who is not currently in the email group as it is far from perfect but is the best we have been able to do.
The proposed agenda is as follows:
1. A brief summary of the new proposals.
2. Are cuts of 17.5% and 30% for VHCC sustainable.
3. Merits of the Duty Solicitor Tendering Scheme which will result in a reduced number of firms in Greater Manchester. Will this give bigger firms an unfair advantage or is it an even playing field?
4. Fixed fees in the police station and Magistrates Court. The figures in the consultation document include VAT.
5. Same fee for guilty plea and trials in Magistrates Court. What is the escape provision .
6. Fees in the Crown Court
7. QASA – Do we support the Bar?
8. Law Society Stance – What are the views Of the Greater Manchester Solicitors
Should anyone wish to add to the agenda please contact either Patrick Harris [email protected] or Kerry Morgan [email protected] .