What will be achieved by the end of the session and why it is especially relevant to practice.

By the date of the course the final versions while have been published of the Regulations and contract documentation for the next legal aid contracts which will be run under LASPO. Aim will be to reach a clear understanding of what the new scheme means in practice to suppliers and clients and the main documents affecting the scheme. To consider ways in which suppliers will be able to make the schemes work as well as possible both for their clients and for their own incomes. To have a clear understanding of the challenges that will be faced when trying to provide a quality service. To have identified arguments and strategies for challenging restrictions and anticipated refusal of exceptional funding on both individual and strategic levels.

What work will be in scope under LASPO

• The main features of the new  general and immigration and asylum specifications highlighting changes being introduced including procedural changes;
• How the exceptional cases funding system will work;
• Running down of work going out of scope;
• Possible arguments and challenges to bring work out of scope back into scope and to get exceptional case funding;

Solange Valdez - Solicitor at Sutovic & Hartigan in West London. She is a Level 3 Advanced Accredited Caseworker and Supervisor. Solange is a former executive committee member of (ILPA). She has provided training on legal aid for ILPA’s refugee children’s project.

Jackie Peirce – Solicitor currently working freelance, was co-convenor of ILPA legal aid subcomittee for 5 years until 2012.