The Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) is aiming to establish better communication with practitioners at the coal-face by recruiting representatives for each duty solicitor scheme across England and Wales.

CLSA director Rodney Warren said he hoped to have the new set-up in place by the end of the month so that solicitors working under the schemes had a point of contact.


'We want to be able to have an effective means of communication with each duty solicitor so we can update them with any changes and get a better understanding of how the system is working,' he explained. Interested parties should e-mail: andrewbishop@btinternet.com.


Meanwhile, Roger Hamilton, currently legal director at the Legal Services Commission, has announced that he is moving to become solicitor to the Audit Commission. Mr Hamilton has been with the LSC since 1995, when it was the Legal Aid Board, and has been instrumental in the introduction and development of the Criminal Defence Service and Community Legal Service as well as franchising, the quality mark and contracting.


LINKS: andrewbishop@btinternet.com