Crime lawyers digest Irvine's 'final' offerBy Sue AllenCriminal lawyer groups have urged practitioners to stand firm and resist signing criminal contracts despite this week's promise by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, of an overall 7.25% pay increase.The appeal came from members of the criminal contracting negotiation group, comprising the Law Society, Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA), the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA).Negotiators agreed that firms should hold back from signing contracts, which will be sent out next week but do not have to be signed until March, until the impact of the pay increases and changes to contract terms had been fully considered with members.Law Society President Michael Napier this week said the improved contract terms and pay increases were 'an important step forward'.

The Law Society would meet with specialist groups next week, he added.

'Clear guidance' would be given to firms about whether or not to sign the contract after those meetings.The CLSA has already expressed the view that the pay increases are unlikely to be sufficient to change its existing advice, which is to urge firms not to sign.

The local law societies in Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham this week said jointly that the 'major issues of concern' over pay and terms had 'generally not been resolved'.

The pay rises would see a general increase of 3% in all rates under the new contracts.

Police station advice payments will rise by 7% (equivalent to a 2% rise in overall spending).

Senior practitioners will also receive a 2.25% rise for time spent on face-to-face file reviews (for full details, see advertisement, page 13).Changes to the contract will see the inclusion of a remuneration rate review clause and agreement from the Legal Services Commission that terms will not be unilaterally changed.One important concession will see the establishment of a review committee to monitor the operation of the contract.

Future contract changes are likely to be negotiated through the committee.In a letter to Mr Napier, Lord Irvine said he hoped the pay increases and contract changes 'should enable firms...

to sign the contract'.

He added: 'I hope the Law Society will recommend the contract to its members.

The package represents the continued from page 1limit of what I consider to be affordable at the present time.'CLSA chairman Franklin Sinclair advised firms to review their figures to see whether they were better off after the pay increases.

'I haven't spoken to anyone who will be better off,' he said.

'There is every indication so far that the position [of the CLSA] remains unchanged and that we will be advising members not to sign this contract.'Steve Wedd, honorary secretary of the CLSA, said the pay offer failed to get close to inflation or match the administrative burdens put on firms by the Legal Services Commission.Mark Haslam, chairman of the LCCSA, said: 'We take the view that where members livelihoods are at stake, we need some time to look at the new facts and figures before we decide whether or not to advise firms to sign the contract.'LAPG vice-chairman Roy Morgan, who has been involved in the negotiations, said: 'I don't think remuneration rates will go anywhere nearplacating practitioners or providing any incentive to sign the contracts.'