We are all aware that cut backs abound throughout all UK public services at the moment. But the recent buzz within the private investigation industry expresses grave concerns with regards to the activities of the Legal Services Commission (LSC) in relation to the funding of legal aid cases. The changes in legal aid funding for cases has had a profound effect on the legal profession and lawyers have recently had their say. But what about all the legal support service providers such as the private investigation industry? The way in which the LSC is going about things is bound to have knock-on effect to the legal support services sector.
There is little doubt that this is the case as it has been reported via various PI discussion forums that numerous PIs have had their invoices queried by the LSC and in some cases the LSC has refused to pay the amount invoiced or is asking for refunds for fees already settled; although these fees had been previously agreed by the instructing solicitor prior to the work being undertaken.
The LSC seem determined to dictate the amount of any fees paid, despite the fact that PIs are privately owned businesses that have control over their own fee structures. The feelings within the PI industry are running high with many PIs considering dropping legal aid support work altogether in favour of pursuing other market segments.
There is no doubt that PIs, enquiry agents and process servers provide an invaluable service to the legal profession and it would have a profound effect on the administration of justice if PIs and associated service providers were to refrain from providing their services in all publicly funded cases. If this were to happen we would see a return to the days when any form of justice would only be attainable by those that had the financial mans to pay the costs involved.
How many PIs out there would consider refraining from publicly funded cases under the present conditions?
PI Telegraph would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Related posts:
