Commission backtracks on limiting legal aid pay rises

Rates for legal help and help at court are to increase across the board following a u-turn by the Legal Services Commission this week.Firms with civil contracts in social welfare law will now see rates rise by 8% in London and 5% elsewhere for preparation, travel and waiting, and for routine letters and telephone calls.

The Commission had sought to limit increases to preparation only.It said this would avoid the 'illogical result' of bringing remuneration for travel and waiting and for routine telephone calls and letters in London above that for the same work done 'at a higher level' - that is under controlled legal representation (see [2000] Gazette, 22 June 5).A Commission spokeswoman said this week that following further consultation, the increases would now be implemented as firms had said they were prepared to accept the anomaly.Law Society President Robert Sayer said: 'We asked the Commission to reconsider and we are delighted that it has done so.' He added that it was much better to have 'constructive dialogue than conflict'.Legal Aid Practitioners Group chairman David Emmerson said: 'It may not seem a great deal of money, but it went to the issue of trust and confidence now the Commission has responsibility for remuneration.'Meanwhile, immigration firms are to be offered a 'package of incentives' by the Commission, which includes start-up costs, help with supervision and up-front payments to fund new members of staff.

The spokeswoman said the government's dispersal policy was creating demand for immigration experts in new areas.

Sue Allen