I agree with Joy. The advisory Council is a joke. Bell who does not even do that much legal aid has appointed his friends and their friends.

 

He himself has made a number of sweeping unprofessional abusive generalisations about solicitor advocates.

 

There appears to be a complete lac k of focus on the lower work which is the majority of the work

 

It is ironic that Gove has set up this Council to remove inefficiencies in legal aid yet appears to have a Council who rather inefficiently do not have the current expertise or experience to deliver such efficiency.

 

If this is Gove’s version of democracy, accountability and transparency it is even  more important we stay in the EU as this is clearly an example of how he and his friends will govern

 

 

Morning all,

 

I rarely get involved in what I describe as ‘general electronic debates/discussion’ nevertheless I do so this time for some strange reason!!

 

I concur with the views expressed since last night.

·         I consider the suggestion to engage with Gary Bell is sensible and suggest that in doing so we should acknowledge with him ‘up-front’ any legitimate concerns there may be about previously expressed views and seek an assurance from him that his past record/reputation will not be the foundation for his future work.

·         With regards to the ‘unknown’ solicitor representatives what about LCCSA approaching them direct to find out about there past record in LA work.

·         I have concern that there is no London representative on this group……does this reflect a possible marginalisation / disregard by the group for the London perspective and for LCCSA? I don’t doubt that there can be a valuable in-put by colleagues from the ‘Shires’ however there is a different feel when you attend these courts where there often appears to be more of a ‘club-like’ atmosphere ……perhaps that is their experience when they come to the London courts.

·         Would it be an idea for the LCCSA to make a direct approach to Gary Bell for him to invite the LCCSA to nominate at least one person for the group although I suspect this may have already been done.

 

Anyway there are my few ‘off-the-cuff’ comments having read the contributions to date.

 

Regards,

Alan McGrath

Sol Adv

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