The Law Society has backed a senior judge's concerns over the
new Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA). The scheme,
which has been endorsed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority,
proposes that most advocates will be assessed by judges in live
cases.
In his lecture to the South Eastern circuit, Court of Appeal
judge Lord Justice Moses warned that plans to assess the court
performance of advocates will turn trials into 'job applications'
and boost appeals by convicted criminals.
'Do we really want a generation of criminal trial advocates who
go into the court with the intention of pleasing the judge?' he
asked.
Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson welcomed the
speech:
'The Law Society agrees with the concerns expressed by Moses LJ.
We have long been concerned that the involvement of judges in
assessing the advocates in front of them will cause considerable
difficulties for advocates in advancing the interests of their
clients. It is also inevitable that the ratings will be used in
appeals.
'The Law Society supports a proportionate system of quality
assurance for advocacy but we doubt that this is the way of
achieving it. We would urge the regulators to listen to the
concerns of a senior and experienced member of the judiciary on
this point.'
Read Lord Justice Moses' lecture
Read our latest consultation response on the scheme
Find out more about our new Advocacy Section