Department for Constitutional Affairs minister David Lammy this week visited the Legal Services Commission headquarters in London, meeting new chief executive Clare Dodgson.

He also visited advisers in Brighton, including criminal law firm Brothers & Maye.

Meanwhile, Romano Ferrari, head of the Public Defender Service office in Swansea, has resigned to go back to private practice.

Mr Ferrari, who has led the office since 2001, will be replaced by Dave Singh - a solicitor there - until a permanent head is recruited.

Gaynor Ogden, head of the Cheltenham office, will supervise the Welsh offices at a senior level.

Criminal Defence Service head Richard Collins praised Mr Ferrari for his work in Wales.