What's New

CLS Support Training programme 2010 is now accepting bookings! And all of it is: 2010 Contract Ready!
Training
(28th January 2010)
 

Social Welfare Law tender delayed

The Legal Service Commission (LSC) intends to start publishing revised Social Welfare Law (SWL) procurement plans this week. The bid round for SWL and Family is now due to open in the week beginning 22nd February. The LSC will then explain how it proposes to select between bidders, when there is competition. They will also explain how they will allocate matter starts to successful bids.
 
For more details on all the above see the Law Society website. It contains an exchange of letters between the Law Society and the LSC about the civil tender process.
Law Society News and Events
(26th January 2010)
 

Don't leave your Immigration bid to the last minute!

The LSC has informed ASA that only 20% of those who have expressed an interest in the Immigration tenders have actually completed the process. It looks like many of you are waiting until the last minute. Let's hope the computer system doesn't crash!
 
If you do intend to apply, remember you must publish both a Pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the areas you are interested in. The mainstream Immigration tender closes at 12 noon on the 28th January. Late bids will be rejected.
 
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are listed in the right hand margin of the LSC tenders page. We advise you to check this page for the latest news.
LSC tenders page
(26th January 2010)
 
policy
Procurement plans for social welfare law
This article, by Adam Griffith, appeared in the November issue of Legal Action.
(7th January 2010)
 
CLS Support Training 2010 news
We will shortly be launching the CLS Support Training Programme 2010
Courses are tailored to the needs of the Not-for-Profit advice sector as it gears up to the demands of the Legal Services Commission in 2010.
In January details about the new courses and the booking form will be available. For those who can't wait to see what's in store, here's a sneak preview. Why not save a few dates for your diary now?
 
(22nd December 2009)
 
Plenet news
How does Public Legal Education (PLE) advance a culture of civil and social justice?
Plenet Conference flyer and booking form
(14th December 2009)
 
Policy
Radically re-thinking advice
A summary of the interim report of the Nottingham systems thinking pilot
(10th December 2009)
 
Time Well-spent
Key points from a report examining the value of relationships between advice workers and clients
(10th December 2009)
 
The advice needs of young people
Read a summary of new research
(10th December 2009)
 
International comparison of legal aid provides few answers
A summary of Ministry of Justice research
(10th December 2009)
 
Scottish review of civil courts takes divergent view on mediation
Findings from the "Gill Review"
(10th December 2009)
 
advicenow
Providing better information for the public
This course is designed for all those involved in producing and commissioning information for the public on their rights or the issues of every day life – whether in a government body, an advice service, specialist charity, or a community organisation.
(1st December 2009)