Civil Legal Aid Updates from The Law Society

Posted on28 September 2023

Civil Legal aid review

The Ministry of Justice has commissioned an independent online survey as part of its Review of Civil Legal Aid (RoCLA). Please encourage those within your membership that provide civil legal aid to participate in this online research survey, which aims to explore legal aid provides’ experiences of the civil legal aid sector and how it operates. All survey responses received will help build a robust evidence base for the review and contribute to the sustainability of legal aid.

Responses will be anonymous and confidential. On average, the survey takes 20-30 minutes to complete and can be filled out here.

Civil legal aid contract tender

The deadline for bidding on civil legal aid contracts is rapidly approaching (Tuesday 17 October 2023). These contacts encompass a wide array of civil and family legal aid categories, including the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS).

Read our guide on tendering for legal aid contracts and see more information on changes to public law and HLPAS bids, help with applications and next steps on our website.

We’re calling for fair funding for civil legal aid. These contracts are being tendered without a pay increase, meaning that for many firms the contracts are not going to be financially viable. Civil legal aid fees have not increased since 1996, representing a real-terms cut of 49.4% in fees to 2022. We’re continuing to call on the government to shore up the civil legal aid market by bringing in an interim 15% for providers of early legal advice, while the civil legal aid review is ongoing. You can see more about our campaign here.

Free webinar: All you need to know about the contact tender process (Wednesday 4 October, 12:00-14:30)

Where appropriate, please share our upcoming free webinar with your members. The webinar will cover the key changes to civil legal aid contracts to ensure members understand the process and meet all the requirements to bid for 2024 contracts. Attendees will also have a chance to put questions to our Head of Justice, Richard Miller, and DG Legal’s Director, David Gilmore.

Find out more and register.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS