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Legal Aid Compliance
We have been assisting firms with their legal aid issues for over 30 years, As a result we possess an unmatched level of knowledge and experience in the field.
Contract compliance | Peer Review | SQM | Appeals | Tendering
Specialist Quality Mark (SQM)
The Legal Aid Agency's Specialist Quality Mark is a comprehensive set of standards for legal aid work. JRS offer a range of packages which can assist firms to either achieve or maintain SQM accreditation. Our SQM manuals and systems are tailored to each individual firm and include procedures which will also assist the firms' COLP and COFA meet their obligations under the SRA Standards and Regulations. More
Contract Compliance
Whether it’s your firm's annual LAA contract compliance visit, a cost appeal, sanction or Termination Notice, such compliance issues cause considerable anxiety for most Legal Aid firms.
JRS Consultants can assist firms in maintaining ongoing contract compliance. Through implementing simple, robust systems and procedures allied to staff training, everyone within a firm gains a clear understanding of what is required and how to achieve the LAA's standards. JRS can also assist firms challenge any sanctions or Termination notices which are not made out.
Peer Review
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) uses independent peer review as a primary quality assurance mechanism to assess the standard of legal work performed by legal aid providers. Experienced legal practitioners review a random sample of a firm's case files and assign a quality rating. Failure in peer review compliance can result in contract termination, therefore it is important that all legal aid providers fully comply.
Although JRS are not legally qualified we have been assisting firms with Peer Review for over a decade. We fully understand the requirements and process involved and what Peer Reviewers are looking for. We can assist providers in achieving compliance through the implementation of compliant file management systems, training and by providing bespoke templates to assist fee earners collate and record the required information.
LAA contract tendering involves legal service providers bidding for publicly funded work through the Legal Aid Agency's (LAA) eTendering portal, covering areas like Crime, Civil (Family, Housing, Immigration, etc.).
Providers must register on the portal to access tender documents and follow strict guidelines for submission. Tenders are a multi-stage process and can be quite daunting for firms to deal with.
We can guide firms through the requirements of all stages. We will check any submissions to ensure compliance and accuracy. The service we provide is hands-on using remote conferencing facilities and ongoing telephone support.