The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has set up a working group with
the Law Society and other representational bodies to facilitate the
implementation of a new client and cost management system for civil
and family certificated work next year. This aims to improve ways
of working both within the LSC and with providers and will see the
introduction of:
- a client and cost management system (CCMS) to grant legal aid,
pay bills and recover debt electronically. This will include a
scanning facility which will allow providers to submit supporting
documentation electronically.
- new ways for clients to pay, including credit/debit card,
direct debit payment facilities and payment reference cards
In order to ensure that the views of external users of the
system are captured and the training and support for those users is
fit for purpose, the LSC has set up an External Implementation
group (EIG) for civil legal aid online. We have been invited to sit
on this group to:
- review key programme communications and training documentation
for external users
- disseminate key messages about the new system in the lead up to
and throughout implementation
- discuss experiences and issues during rollout of the new system
to ensure early resolution
- review rollout and lessons learned post go live in
collaboration with the LSC
Other representatives on the group include the Bar Council,
Legal Aid Practitioners Group, Resolution and the Advice Service
Alliance.