Small practices share in 16m cash handout

Small law firms and other providers are to benefit from a 16 million cash injection from the Legal Services Commission (LSC), as part of a drive to boost innovation in delivering legal services.The windfalls - to be paid out over three years - are part-funded by the government's partnership innovation budget, which was set up to develop the Community Legal Service.

The funding will be channelled into a range of organisations including law centres, citizens advice bureaux and local councils.The LSC approved 64 of 228 proposals, including a 92,500 bid for Stoke-on-Trent firm Dickson Hmb's children's legal centre, set up to give youngsters and parents legal advice.Meanwhile, Dudley-based Elliot & Allen will put its 35,985 towards its housing advice project, a training programme run in conjunction with Dudley Citizens Advice Bureau and 12 local outreach centres.An LSC spokeswoman said successful bids stood out because they showed evidence of 'innovation and creative thinking'.

She said: 'In particular, we were interested in different ways of delivering legal services and working in partnerships, with the objective of enhancing access to legal advice and information.'Paula Rohan