I would like to clarify an important point in relation to last week’s news story ‘Large firms in legal aid talks’ (see [2010] Gazette 18 February, 1) .

As yet, no substantive discussions have taken place with the Ministry of Justice or the Legal Services Commission on new proposals for a revised tendering scheme, nor has the Society been present at any meetings involving the MoJ and representatives of large firms.

The Society has been invited to attend a meeting to discuss the broad policy in relation to the design of a proposed new scheme prior to any proposals being put to consultation, but at the time of writing no date had been set for this meeting.

The Law Society represents all practitioners and firms of all sizes. We will not represent one type of firm at the expense of another, and will endeavour to take a policy line that represents the best interests of the profession as a whole, and that seeks to ensure that there is a viable service for those who need it, with solicitors at its heart.

Desmond Hudson, Chief executive, Law Society