INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
AND THE CRIMINAL DEFENCE SERVICE
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 The CPS welcomes the introduction of
the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service as
an agency for the defence with whom we can work constructively
around the CJS table to improve the effectiveness of the service
we provide. The move to contracting should improve efficiency
by removing existing disincentives in the system which reward
adjournments, ineffective hearings and late pleas of guilty.
2. CONTRACTS
FOR ADVICE
AND ASSISTANCE
2.1 The CPS was consulted about the introduction
of Contracts for Advice and Assistance which should increase competition
for work and offer opportunities for improving quality, encouraging
accountability, reducing inefficiency and generally securing better
value for money. The decision to abolish the means test was also
welcomed as a means of reducing delay.
2.2 It is hoped that by setting quality
standards and controlling payment, the Criminal Defence Service
can emerge as a national defence agency, able to take its place
at the criminal justice table, and play an active part in delivering
future initiatives.
2.3 Although it seems inevitable that there
will be a general erosion in the number of franchisee/contractors,
some care will be needed to ensure that less populous parts of
the country are adequately served.
3. HIGH COST
CASES
3.1 We welcome the opportunity of working
alongside the CDS in its development of contracts for high cost
cases, both to share good practice derived from our use of Case
Management Plans, and to ensure that appropriate parity can be
achieved in determining the broad value of these cases. We have
recently discussed the three stage plan to resolving the disparity
between prosecution and defence fees with the Bar, and will be
working with them in the development of these arrangements.
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