| Title:
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LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION CARDIFF OFFICE
SEVENTH REPORT OF SESSION 2008-09 REPORT, TOGETHER WITH FORMAL MINUTES, ORAL AND WRITTEN EVIDENCE |
| By: |
Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| List price:
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£12.00 |
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| ISBN 10: |
0215529898 |
| ISBN 13: |
9780215529893 |
| Publisher: |
TSO |
| Pub. date: |
1 May, 2009 |
| Series: |
House of Commons Papers Session 2008-09, 374 |
| Pages: |
32 |
| Synopsis: |
In November 2008, the Legal Services Commission announced that it would be restructuring its operations by centralizing operational support and administrative work in five business support centers by 2012. The change includes a significant reduction in the operations of the Commission's Cardiff office, with functions being transferred to processing centers in England. The Legal Services Commission failed to include the Wales Office in any form of consultation regarding the proposed changes to its Cardiff office. This is unacceptable, and the extent of consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government and other stakeholders prior to the announcement of the restructuring was also extremely limited. To exclude these parties from consultation on a decision that could have a serious impact on the quality of the legal aid service to the Welsh population is evidence of an inward-looking and metropolitan attitude that is insensitive to the needs of a devolved administration. The proposed changes have been put forward in the context of continuing legal divergence post devolution, but the Legal Services Commission must ensure there is adequate expertise for interpreting Welsh legislation.Measures are expected in areas including carers' rights, housing, vulnerable children, mental health and environmental protection. All of these areas are likely to have an impact on legal aid cases. High quality bilingual services must continue to be provided. The Committee is not confident that the quality of Welsh services can be maintained from outside Wales and recommends that no change to the functions of the Cardiff office should be implemented until thorough and genuine consultation has taken place to determine its likely impact on levels of service. |
| Publication: |
UK |
| Imprint: |
Stationery Office Books |
| Returns: |
Non-returnable |