Staff cuts and budgetary constraints could undermine LSC attempts to reinvent itself says Jon Robins
The language of a new consultation paper published at the end of October by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) (Civil Bid Rounds for 2010 Contracts: A Consultation) might raise eyebrows. Increasingly, the LSC is “a commissioner of legal aid services”, reckons chief executive Carolyn Regan. OK, one might expect the LSC to regard itself as “a commissioner”—the clue, after all, is in the name.
The significant contrast being drawn though is with the Legal Aid Board—a largely reactive service that responded to people’s needs as mediated through the demands of a network of law firms and not-for-profi t agencies on the ground. A it was done back in the good old days, some might say. But then Regan goes on to further explain: “That is, we play the role of the demanding consumer on behalf of the people who need help.”
Lawyers, advisers and campaigners alike are going to take the notion of the LSC as “people’s champion”, acting in the best interests of those needing legal advice, with
