All Peer Reviewers will receive the notice of extension letter by email. This extension will allow the LAA to continue monitoring the quality of advice delivered by contracted crime and civil legal aid providers until the new end date of 31 August 2026.
Why is this happening now?
Contracts were due to expire on 31 August 2024, so the extension notice secures the immediate future of the Peer Review process.
In the months ahead the LAA intend to go out to appoint new Peer Reviewers in all categories.
This appointment process will allow the LAA to grow the Peer Reviewer base and continue to deliver the programme of reviewing the work of all firms in the crime, family, housing, mental health and immigration categories within the next three to five years.
What do contract holding Peer Reviewers need to do?
There is no requirement to formally accept the extension since the contract provides a unilateral right to extend by issuing a notice, however the LAA are asking Reviewers to reply within 10 business days to acknowledge the extension.
