background to contracting

Scottish Legal Aid Boardwww.slab.org.uk

Background to contracting

Colin LancasterDirector of Policy and Development

Anne Dickson Policy Projects Manager

Contracting background

Scottish Legal Aid Board

Provisions added to LA(S)Act 86 in 1997 Recommended in Strategic Review in 2004 Broad approach considered by SLAB in 2008 Identified as potential means of addressing issues in

mental health and immigration/asylum in 2010/11 Identified as potential savings measure in response

to economic crisis in 2010 Included by SG in Sustainable Future paper in 2011 Current exercise focusing on criminal legal assistance

Contracting objectives


Deliver substantial savings of in excess of £3m by 2014-15

Encourage firms to create efficient business models to deliver services and ensure that the market operates efficiently

Improve consistent and equitable access to justice Allow for better planning of service delivery in relation to

need Provide clarity and precision around specific types of

work, for example by ensuring that public sector service level requirements are met (including public sector equality duties).


Scottish Government’s Purpose

To focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth

Scottish Government’s Strategic Objectives

Helping communities become safer and stronger places to live

Enabling the increasing of wealth through efficient public services

Improving the environment and its

sustainability

ScottishGovernment’s National Outcomes

We lives our lives safe from crime and

danger

We have strong and resilient

communities

We have tackled inequalities in Scottish

Society

Our public services are high quality,

responsive, and continually improving

We reduce the impactof our consumption

and production

Justice Strategy for Scotland Priorities

Widening access to justice and law

reform

Transforming civil and

administrative justice

Enhancing efficiency

National Outcomes

Current challenges - economics


All LCJBs


Sols fees ex VAT 2007/08 2012/13Absolute change on 07/08 to 12/13 Change on 07/08

Argyll & Clyde 6,846,858 5,631,439 - 1,215,419 -18%Ayrshire 4,800,661 3,469,301 - 1,331,360 -28%Central 4,225,125 3,441,068 - 784,056 -19%Dumfries & Galloway 1,186,289 1,165,981 - 20,309 -2%Fife 3,681,790 3,251,728 - 430,062 -12%Glasgow & Strathkelvin 21,764,314 16,458,780 - 5,305,534 -24%Grampian 5,654,496 4,681,460 - 973,036 -17%Highlands & Islands 2,270,185 1,650,749 619,437 -27%Lanarkshire 6,993,202 6,233,709 - 759,493 -11%Lothian & Borders 10,573,766 8,687,481 - 1,886,285 -18%Tayside 6,602,307 4,602,114 - 2,000,193 -30%Total 74,640,867 59,273,809 - 15,367,058 -21%

Local level data


• Local Data on levels of complaints and indictments and solicitor fees:

http://www.slab.org.uk/export/sites/default/common/documents/reform/Local_Criminal_Justice_Board_Data_Final.doc

• Additional data on average fee, and change in firm income over time:

http://www.slab.org.uk/export/sites/default/common/documents/profession/documents/Supplementary_LCJB_data.doc


“There is no doubt in my mind that the High Street has to start with a huge programme of rationalisation. One aspect of the recession has been the sadly predictable rise in the number of sole practitioners. Understandable, but if there was ever a time for firms to get together and enjoy economies of scale it is now.

My home town of Paisley has about 90,000 people and well over 30 firms. That’s unsustainable. That's 30 cash rooms, receptions and sets of overheads. I am not saying that the same number of solicitors can't make a living-but in a much reduced number of practice units. Ayr is worse-30 firms in a town of about 40,000 people. Solicitors are going to realise they are collectively employing hundreds of people they can no longer properly afford.”

18th March 2013

Options for contracting 1


Options for contracting 2


Issues to consider

• Quality• Geographic scope• Subject scope• Choice• Capacity and coverage – firm numbers/structures• Procurement capacity• Contract length


[email protected]

http://www.slab.org.uk/providers/reforms/criminal/Contracting.html

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.slab.org.uk/providers/reforms/criminal/Contracting.html

background to contracting

Documents