Clear guidance

Neil Howlett is wrong to say that solicitors were told to scrap the Guidance on the Exercise of devolved powers (GEDP) when the Legal Services Commission manual was issued (see [2000] Gazette, 28 September, 18).

We made it clear in Focus 28 that the Legal Aid Handbook 1998/99 and the GEDP would continue to apply to the conduct of legal aid work under the Legal Aid Act 1988, including criminal cases.

It is important that practitioners are aware of this.

Caroline O'Dwyer, press manager, Legal Services Commission