The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has performed a U-turn over its decision to ditch its specialist support scheme.

Not-for-profit bodies initiated judicial review proceedings earlier this year after the LSC announced plans to abandon the popular scheme, which provides back-up support for legal aid advice providers over the phone and through training (see [2006] Gazette, 23 February, 1). They said there had been insufficient consultation to end the project. The Law Society said it was planning to intervene in support, while MPs also condemned the LSC.


An LSC spokesman said it had changed its mind and would pay the costs of the claimants, which included the Child Poverty Action Group and mental health charity Mind. 'We regret the disruption our decision to terminate the specialist support service has caused the providers,' he said, but added that it could still be stopped following future consultation.


Kevin Martin, Law Society President, said the LSC should wait until Lord Carter reports on his proposals for improving civil legal aid.


'The removal of this vital service would leave clients abandoned in rural areas where there are already acute shortages of advisers,' he added. 'This is another example of a knee-jerk legal aid policy decision.'