LSC provides training for new family fee schemes
The Legal Services Commission will be
implementing the new family fee schemes in October 2010, in
preparation for this they are holding 68 free training events for
providers in September and early October.
The new schemes being introduced are:
- A family advocacy scheme (FAS). This creates a single graduated
fee scheme, covering payments to both solicitor advocates and
barristers for public and private family law cases.
- A fixed fee private family law representation scheme (PFLRS).
This pays solicitors standard fees, covering work (excluding
advocacy) from the issue of proceedings up to the conclusion of the
final hearing.
The new schemes will apply to all cases
started on or before 14th October. The LSC are advising
providers to attend the training to ensure that they claim
accurately, that they know what fee they should be paid and are
aware of the new scheme arrangements and their difference from
the old fee schemes.
There will be 43 events specifically for
solicitors/legal executives. The events are free and will last for
3 hours but no CPD points will be available. The training will
cover the Private Family Law Representation Scheme (PFLRS),
Family Advocacy Scheme (FAS), and how solicitors will make claims
for payments under these schemes. In addition they will cover the
any changes made to existing fee schemes.
A provider pack will be available online in
August and the LSC are advising that providers familiarise
themselves with the contents before the training.
As places will be allocated on a first-come
first-served basis and initially limited to one place per firm,
booking in advance is advisable. For a calendar of events and
details on how to book, please go to Training for Family Fees from 2010.
Posted 22.07.10