LSC launches sixth Public Defender Service office

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) launched its sixth controversial Public Defender Service (PDS) office in Cheltenham last week.

It is the last to open under the pilot scheme.

Solicitor Anthony Edwards, professional head of the PDS, welcomed the four-strong team which will be led by Gaynor Ogden - the first woman to head a PDS office.

Ms Ogden qualified in 1988 and is a solicitor-advocate.

She was a partner at West Bromwich firm Baches.

She will supervise solicitor Mike Smith, who joins from Steven Young & Co in Gloucester, and accredited police station representatives Clive Walford and Sue Johnson.

The new branch follows the other offices in Liverpool, Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Swansea, which also has a satellite branch in Pontypridd.

The LSC said it hoped the new office would add to information for its research programme on the PDS, and help provide a comparison with the cost and quality of work undertaken by private practice.

Paula Rohan