LSC DISMISSES FEARS OF SOLICITORS MIRED IN LEGAL AID FRAUD

The Legal Services Commission has said that, contrary to recent reports, it does not believe solicitors are committing widespread legal aid fraud.Hitting back at reports last week that rising fraudulent legal aid claims by solicitors now costs more than 4 million, chief executive Steve Orchard said that since the introduction of contracting, 'the opportunities for fraud are fewer and we are less worried than ever before'.'The quoted figures refer to the amount of money potentially at risk in five cases being investigated by police,' he said.

'But none of these has gone to full trial and we can not call it fraud until someone is found guilty.' Mr Orchard said he did not consider that five cases out of the 5,000 firms with civil contracts amounted to a 'widespread problem' and that this figure, as opposed to potential financial loss, was a fairer representation of solicitors' honesty.Andrew Towler