Top legal aid firms have this week been asked by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to bid to take part in a project that it predicts will reshape the way the legal aid system works.

The preferred supplier pilot, to begin in June, will explore new relationships and incentive packages that are tailored towards individual firms; the LSC expects to select up to 25 of its best-performing suppliers for the pilot.

Applications are invited from firms offering criminal, family or immigration advice in the Birmingham, Brighton, London, Manchester or Nottingham LSC regions.

Successful firms must have achieved 'category one' status in their last audit, should derive at least half of their income from legal aid and be able to demonstrate that they provide high-quality services.

Firms that believe they fit the bill should contact their regional relationship managers before the 13 April deadline.

A review of the pilot will take place in December, with the aim of opening up the project in April next year so that all firms can work towards the enhanced status.

LSC chief executive Clare Dodgson said the commission looked forward to working with firms to explore 'creative approaches' and ways of establishing 'open relationships' - including the provision of financial incentives in return for discussions about how firms can best serve their clients.

'Ultimately, this open relationship will benefit the most important people in the legal aid scheme - the individuals who need help,' she added.

Richard Miller, director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, said the pilot would lead to a lowering of the burden of bureaucracy on the firms involved.

He added: 'We hope that this will be a step towards a better way for the LSC to do business with the profession, which will be of benefit to clients, practitioners and the taxpayer alike.'

Paula Rohan