CLS is pushed forward but payment is not a priority

GOVERNMENT PLANS: traditionalists may find it hard to adjustAs the government committed itself afresh last week to pushing forward with Community Legal Service (CLS...GOVERNMENT PLANS: traditionalists may find it hard to adjustAs the government committed itself afresh last week to pushing forward with Community Legal Service (CLS), solicitors were warned that money for publicly funded work would remain tight.

Speaking at a meeting of the Society of Labour Lawyers (SLL), David Lock, minister at the Lord Chancellors Department, said that, although traditionalists might find the move to the CLS and concepts like quality-marking, best value and priorities difficult to accept, the government was determined to push ahead with its plans.Mr Lock said the government would spend around 710 million a year over the next three years.

The figure, which is down on this years spend of 810 million, would be covered by money flowing back in from successful personal injury cases which are now generally funded by conditional fee agreements.

However, there was little ground given on increasing the amount spent on publicly funded work.

Mr Lock said the budget for legal services would always be seen against other areas such as health and education and would never be such a high priority.

Mr Lock went on to say that the public was right to question the value for money gained from lawyers when the overall amount earned by some was substantially higher than many other professionals doing difficult and demanding jobs.

SLL chairman, Geoffrey Bindman, senior partner of London-based firm Bindman & Partners, said he was heartened by Mr Locks commitment to the CLS and hoped that ways would be found to involve closely the profession in its development.Sue Allen