Solicitors cast doubt on future of FAINs over lack of funding

The Family Advice and Information Networks (FAINs) project will fall flat unless more money is provided because it is leaving disillusioned practitioners out of pocket, solicitors warned this week after plans to extend the scheme emerged.

The project - which involves experienced family law practitioners building networks with other advice providers and referring clients on where appropriate - began last year with a six-month pre-pilot.

This concentrated on firms in Cardiff, Exeter, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne and Nottingham.

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has decided that a full pilot will be rolled out in the spring to cover 15 other areas.

But Norman Hartnell, partner at Exeter firm Hartnells, said he was now 'thinking very hard' about pulling out because it was costing his firm money.

He called on the LSC to pay certificated rates - rather than legal help rates - and reimburse firms for the time spent on de-briefing sessions and dealing with red tape.

'If [the LSC] is not prepared to invest properly then this will be a good idea lost, and that would be a shame,' he said.

'They are expecting a lot from a theoretical point of view, but we are at the sharp end and need to account for every penny.'

Peter Watson-Lee, chairman of the Law Society's family law committee, welcomed the project as it recognised that solicitors were vital in making family disputes run smoothly.

But he agreed: 'Legally aided matters are so badly paid now, they have got to put the financial incentives in place to get people enthusiastic.'

An LSC spokesman said it had received positive feedback from practitioners and some 40 applications to sign up to the full pilot.

'We are aware of some concerns about funding,' he added.

'The suppliers in the pre-pilot were awarded an additional sum of money on top of their usual costs of a publicly funded case.

This remuneration is in recognition of the expertise and skill required to work at the level FAINs demands, and includes payment in respect of the time required to complete research documentation.'

See Editorial, page 15 (see [2003] Gazette, 16 January)

Paula Rohan