Applying for Civil or Family ContractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contractsStandard contractsLegal aid contracts:durationLegal aid contracts:applying for civil or family contractsLegal aid contracts
18.23In civil and family, the LAA allocates funds to geographical areas using a formula which attempts to estimate the number of potential legal aid clients who might experience legal problems and remain within scope. This is called ‘indicative spend’.
18.24The LAA uses the formula as a starting point when considering where to direct available funding.
18.25You should note that although bidding opportunities are expressed in terms of the numbers of matter starts available, where you provide services under a schedule, it will also authorise you to undertake an unlimited number of certificated cases (licensed work).
18.26If you are an existing supplier wanting to add a category, open a new office, or add a substantial number of new matter starts to your existing allocation, or whether you are an organisation wishing to contract with the LAA for the first time, you should contact the LAA regional office that covers your area and make enquiries of the regional contracts manager. He or she may be able to tell you whether the LAA plans to issue any tenders in your area. Tender opportunities are advertised on the LAA’s current tenders page:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/legal-aid-agency/about/procurement/.
18.27We know that the LAA refines its tender process with every round of tenders it conducts, so it is unlikely that the process will be the same in future; but it is worth considering the requirements of past tenders, as they give some indication of the LAA’s preferences (see paras 18.29–18.34).
How long contracts last
18.28In general, LAA contracts last for three years with a power for the LAA to extend for up to two years. In November 2015, the LAA announced that it intended to align all civil contracts so that they all end on 31 March 2018. See para 18.33 for more information.
•The Standard Civil Contract 2010 – family mediation. It started on 15 November 2010, with a tender process for new providers / outreach locations which started on 1 February 2015. The contract will run until 31 March 2018, subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below).
•The Standard Civil Contract 2013 – this applies to face to face services in family, housing and debt and immigration law. The start date was 1 April 2013 and it is intended to run for a three-year term, subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below). The LAA has extended it until 31 March 2018.
•The CLA (telephone) Contract 2013 – the start date was 1 April 2013 and it was intended to run for a three-year term. The 2013 CLA Contract includes an option for LAA to extend it beyond 31 March 2016 by up to two years.
•The Standard Civil Contract (welfare benefits) 2013 started on 1 October 2013 and covers London, the South-east, the Midlands and the East. It was intended to run for a three-year term, subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below). The LAA has extended it until 31 March 2018.
•The Standard Civil Contract 2014 – this applies to face to face services in mental health and community care. The start date was 1 August 2014. Subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below), it is expected to expire on 31 March 2018.
•The Standard Civil Contract 2015 – this applies to face to face services in actions against the police etc, clinical negligence and public law. The start date was 1 November 2015. Subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below), it is expected to expire on 31 March 2018.
•The Standard Civil Contract (welfare benefits) 2016 started on 1 November 2016 and covers the North, South-west and Wales. Subject to the LAA’s early termination rights (see below), it is expected to expire on 31 March 2018.
•The Standard Crime Contract 2017 starts on 01 April 2017 and covers criminal investigations, proceedings, appeal/reviews, associated work, and prison law. It is expected to expire on 31 March 2020. It can be extended for up to two years.