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Well done Mr Gove. A brave and correct decision.
The reason we arrived in this mess is because BFG has far too much influence. Both the LAA and MoJ listened too much to BFG's special pleading and promises of "economies of scale" and expertise and they advanced their cause by belittling the vast majority of firms which are SME's by referring to BFG's superior expertise and technological efficiencies etc etc.
The CLSA must now-if it is to have any authority and be in any way effective-rid itself of all BFG members and promote itself and act as the spokesman for SMEs.
I hope that Mr Gove realises that the mainstay of the legal aid system are the SMEs and that those firms are perhaps the most efficient and most effective and most adaptable and that they can inform any attempt by MoJ to consider real reform. Simply talking to TLS and representative associations is not going to be good enough.
My first suggestion is:
Get rid of LAA and DSCC and CDS Direct-these organisations are not necessary.
HMCTS can administer the granting of legal aid and the payment of bills especially if the means test is removed for Crown Court cases and for the self-employed in Magistrates Court cases so long as the convicted defendants pay towards the cost of their representation. The legal aid system is overly complex-which creates inefficiencies and increases the cost of running the Fund. Make it simple and it becomes efficient and costs less to run.