Please find detailed below our current and closed consultations.
For any general comments or queries about any of the consultations detailed below, please contact us by sending an email to info@dglegal.co.uk
Current Consultations
There are no current consultations.
Closed Consultations
Please note that the consultatons listed below have now closed.
Consultation on Establishing an Alternative Advice Services Commissioning Model for Local Authority and Assembly Government Funding in Wales
In 2009, DG Legal was instructed by the Welsh Assembly Government to prepare a feasibility study to establish whether there could be an alternative advice services commissioning model for local authority and Assembly Government funding in Wales.
Background:
The Welsh Assembly Government has been engaged in discussions with the Legal Services Commission (LSC) in relation to improving the provision and quality of advice in Wales. A policy document known as ‘Making Legal Rights a Reality in Wales’ which set out a joint strategy was published in September 2007. This can be downloaded from the LSC website.
A key element of the joint strategy is the concept of joint commissioning of legal advice services by the LSC and local councils. In implementing this strategy, the LSC published a specification for a Community Legal Advice Network which was planned to open in October 2009.
However, the Welsh Assembly Government recognised that concerns had been increasing about the possible loss of investment in third sector organisations and their potential closure as a result of the proposed new joint commissioning arrangements. Towards the end of 2008 the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government held a round of discussions with the key agencies involved to see if there was another way forward.
The Welsh Assembly Government has instructed DG Legal to prepare a feasibility study to establish whether there could be an alternative advice services commissioning model for local authority and Assembly Government funding that would meet the aims of “Making Legal Rights a Reality in Wales” without compromising the future of third sector providers.
The feasibility study will:
- establish if there is a viable, legal alternative to the jointly commissioned CLAN model, taking into account current procurement law and regulation
- develop detailed proposals for an alternative model
- identify the most effective model in terms of local authority funding (sole authority; cross-authority)
- consider appropriate governance and reporting arrangements
DG Legal is interested in hearing views from interested parties about alternatives to a jointly commissioned CLAN.
Open Meetings:
We recently held a series of open meetings in Wales to discuss the feasibility study and to launch the consultation paper. We have produced a briefing note setting out details of specific questions raised by attendees about the consultation process together with a short summary of issues discussed during the meetings. To read a copy of this note, click here.
Consultation Paper:
To download a copy of the consultation paper, please click here.
Should you have any difficulties in downloading a copy of the paper, please contact Melanie O'Brien on 01664 822492 or by email to melanie@dglegal.co.uk
Requests for alternative format versions of this consultation (including a version produced in Welsh) should be directed to Melanie O’Brien by telephone on 01664 822492 or by email to melanie@dglegal.co.uk
Consultation open to: Anyone with an interest in the provision of advice services in Wales. This includes Pubic Sector bodies & funders, advice providers and their representative bodies, client interest groups, equality groups and other organisations.
Deadline for Responses: closed on 1 September 2009
Legal Services Commission Trainee Solicitors Training - Legal Aid
In October 2008, the LSC held a conference specifically targeted at legal aid trainee solicitors. Feedback obtained from trainees who attended this event indicated a need for much closer links with the LSC early on in their careers.
The LSC decided that one of the agreed actions arising out of the trainee solicitors’ conference was the development of a number of training workshops which would be used to provide specific guidance on legal aid practice and procedure to legal aid trainees. The workshops would be designed in order to provide information about how legal aid is administered both by providers and the LSC.
In order to design workshops that properly met the needs of trainees and their employers, the LSC instructed DG Legal to design and carry out a survey. This survey was used to obtain the views and requirements of the following:
- Trainees or newly qualified solicitors who participated in the LSC’s Training Contract Grant Scheme (TCGS) in 2006, 2007 or 2008;
- Other trainees or newly qualified solicitors at TCGS participating firms; and
- Training Principals at TCGS participating firms.
The survey would be used to ascertain the views of the trainees and their training principals about training on legal aid practice and procedure; that which is currently available (e.g. on their Legal Practice Course or elsewhere), and their requirements for other training.
The results of the survey are set our in our report of 4 May 2009. To read a copy of the report, click here.
For further information about the survey, please contact us.
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