Defending The Pilot

I write in reply to Jonathan Brierley's letter concerning the cost of the Public Defender Service (see [2002] Gazette, 11 April, 18).

As is well known, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has engaged external researchers to evaluate the Public Defender Service pilot offices.

The research will address the issues of both quality and cost.

The researchers have been given access to all relevant information by the commission, and will make their findings public.

The researchers have consulted the profession on the research methodology, so as to ensure that their evaluation is fair and transparent.

The point needs to be made that the Public Defender Service receives no favours in getting clients.

Like any new private practice, it is building up its client base by individuals taking their turn on duty solicitor rotas and by former clients exercising their choice of representative.

On the other hand, as part of the LSC, it does receive support from the commission, in, for example, recruitment and choosing and installing IT.

The cost of this is available to the researchers and will form part of the assessment of overall cost.

Steve Orchard, chief executive, Legal Services Commission