Defenders offices set up

The government this week formally revealed the identities of the four men who will head the countrys first-ever paid public defenders offices, the first of...The government this week formally revealed the identities of the four men who will head the countrys first-ever paid public defenders offices, the first of which is expected to be launched in May.

The four offices will be headed by solicitors Lee Preston (Birmingham), a partner at Higgs & Sons in Dudley; Richard Whitehead (Liverpool), formerly a consultant at Kilner & Palson; Nick Darwin (Middlesbrough), a partner with Langleys in York; and Romano Ferrari (Swansea), a partner at Marchant Harries & Co in South wales.

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is to be overseen by the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

Speaking at the launch, Steve Orchard, LSC chief executive, said a budget of 3 million had been set aside for the first year of the service.

Two additional offices will be announced later this year.

Lord Bach, minister at the Lord Chancellors Department, said it was not the governments intention to supplant private practitioners and that research would be undertaken to ensure competition on a level playing field.

Professors Lee Bridges of Warwick University and Avrom Sherr of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies will jointly monitor the PDS.

Prof Bridges confirmed that the method for monitoring the cost of the service would be a matter for consultation.

Law Society President Michael Napier said that to ensure a level playing field between the PDS and private practice a system of independent auditing for the PDS should be introduced.Sue Allen