Timetable for Primary/Regulatory Changes

PROPOSED CHANGE
Review of First Instance Criminal Fees for Counsel (including reduction in travel fees)

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
A number of meetings have already taken place between SLAB and the Faculty of Advocates to discuss the Review.
Scottish Government will issue a discussion paper to the Faculty based on these earlier conversations at the start of December.
The Faculty, SLAB and SG should meet to discuss in December.
SG intends to lay Regulations by February 2012.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Fixed Fees in Mental Health cases

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SLAB published its Best Value Review in early 2011.
SLAB is consulting with a large range of relevant stakeholders, including representatives of the Law Society of Scotland’s Mental Health Committee.
SG intends to lay Regulations by February 2012.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Introduction of contributions into criminal legal aid and changes to financial eligibility

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SG consultation on principle took place in early 2011.
Further discussions on the detail will take place in early 2012.
SG intends to introduce a Bill into the Scottish Parliament in April/May 2012

PROPOSED CHANGE
Criminal Contracting

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SLAB has committed to providing a paper to the Society by the final quarter of 2011-12.
SG intends to realise savings through criminal contracting by 2014-15.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Fixed Fees – Asylum and Immigration.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SLAB published its Best Value Review in early 2011.
SG intends to realise savings through the introduction of these fixed fees by 2013-14.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Table of fees for reporters, curators and safeguarders.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SG intends to realise savings through the introduction of a table of fees by 2013-14.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Reduce options to seek additional fees and exceptional case status in civil legal aid cases.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SG intends to issue a discussion paper to the Law Society of Scotland shortly, with the intention of realising savings by 2013-14 at the latest.
The intention would be to lay Regulations as early as possible in the first half of 2012.

PROPOSED CHANGE
A& A Reform

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SG intends to realise savings through the introduction of these reforms by 2013-14 at the latest.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Reform of fees paid to solicitors for sitting behind Counsel

PROPOSED TIME FRAMESG intends to realise savings through the introduction of these reforms by 2013-2014 at the latest

Timetable for NonRegulatory Changes

PROPOSED CHANGE
PDSO involvement in duty plans

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
The initial expansion of the PDSO has taken place in 2011-12, with anticipated savings of £800,000.
A further £500,000 of savings will be delivered in 2012-13.
SLAB and the Society due to meet to discuss 21 December 2011.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Board Best Value Reviews.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
To deliver further savings from 2012-13

PROPOSED CHANGE.
Further moves towards legal aid being seen as the funder of last resort.
SLAB undertaking a review of the verification required.
To deliver savings from 2012-13.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Review of sanction of Counsel.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
SLAB undertaking a review.
To deliver savings from 2012-13.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Making Justice Work Project on video Conferencing

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
To deliver savings from 2012-13.
SLAB and the Society due to meet to discuss.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Reduction in targeted funding and CLAO funding.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
To deliver further savings from 2012-13.

PROPOSED CHANGE
SLAB Review of expert fees.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
To deliver further savings from 2012-13.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Law Society of Scotland plans for a campaign to ensure solicitors take responsibility/ownership of the fund.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
The Society intends to engage with practitioners to raise awareness of best practice and encourage cost saving measures within the current framework.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Board proposal for savings on copying in agreement with the profession.

PROPOSED TIME FRAME
To deliver savings from 2012-13.