LSB welcomes publication of QAA consultation

10 August 2010

The Joint Advocacy Group has published a consultation paper on proposals for a quality assurance scheme for criminal advocates. This marks a significant step towards the delivery of an operational scheme by July 2011, which the Legal Services Board is overseeing as project sponsor.

Chris Kenny, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board, said: “We welcome the launch of the consultation, which provides a firm basis for moving forward with the implementation of the scheme. A robust and proportionate quality assurance mechanism for criminal advocates is essential for the protection of consumers and the efficient running of the courts.

Significant progress has been made in the last nine months since we assumed responsibility with the relevant approved regulators for developing a QAA scheme. This is a good example of regulators working together constructively to address a cross-cutting issue. We look forward to working with the Joint Advocacy Group to ensure the scheme is delivered next summer as planned.”