MoJ re-think?

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is to publish a second consultation on its controversial proposals for price competitive tendering (PCT) in criminal legal aid.

The MoJ has already U-turned on its proposal to scrap the right of defendants to choose their own solicitor. It now says the right will be available to “some extent”.

The aim of PCT is to consolidate the legal aid m arket, and shave £220m off the legal aid budget. In its first consultation the MoJ outlined plans to ask firms to bid for three-year contracts with a potential extension period of a further two years. 

Lawyers’ groups have mounted vociferous opposition, arguing smaller firms will be squeezed out of the market.