Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 39
39
Paragraph: 140
We commend the Legal Aid Agency for its work supporting legal aid providers since the...
Recommendation
We commend the Legal Aid Agency for its work supporting legal aid providers since the start of the pandemic. The approach taken by the Agency and its staff shows that it can be flexible and proactive if the circumstances allow. We recommend that the Agency continues with this approach in the future. We would also suggest that the Agency considers whether any of the changes made to deal with the pandemic should be made permanent.
Paragraph Reference:
140
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We are pleased that the Committee has recognized the efforts made by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) since the start of the pandemic to support legal aid providers. The LAA implemented over 40 contingency measures, in line with the Agency’s legal powers; emerging financial support directed by HMT; guidance from PHE; and contract flexibilities. The LAA continues to maintain an open and supportive dialogue with providers, has already made permanent some changes which originated during the pandemic, and continues to keep under review those contingencies which are still active. Alongside the regular engagement between contract managers and providers, at the height of the pandemic the LAA proactively contacted over 2,000 firms directly to discuss their financial concerns. This enabled the LAA and the Ministry of Justice to better understand the impacts of the pandemic on legal aid firms, and to ensure that available support was being provided effectively. The LAA continues to look for opportunities to make its processes and systems easier and increasingly user-centred across contract management and casework teams.