Andrew Holroyd, Law Society Vice-President, is a legal aid practitioner and Lord Carter?s proposed reforms have a direct bearing on his business and the livelihoods of his staff.  He recognises that it implies wholesale change for a majority of legal aid practitioners, but believes that, properly implemented, the reforms could offer the opportunity for a much improved legal aid system, resulting in a stable and diverse base of legal aid practitioners providing ready access to justice in every part of England and Wales.

The Law Society has commissioned an independent economic evaluation of the Carter Review by economists LECG, to assist it in its negotiations with the Government. The report has been sent to the Lord Chancellor and the Legal Services Commission. It highlights the main risks of the Carter model and makes recommendations to mitigate these risks.

The Law Society will also shortly be releasing a series of online questionnaires asking you to give us your views in detail on all the key proposals such as pay rates, advice deserts and promoting diversity.  The more practitioners who take part in the campaign the stronger our voice will be.  Please register for e-mail updates.