Switalskis have recently had a sample of files called for Independent Peer Review by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

The independent process involves the assessment of work performed by the Mental Health Department as part of the assurance mechanisms within the LAA Contract.

The assessment is conducted by independent and experienced, trained practitioners against set criteria and guidance, quality guides and levels of performance developed by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

A random sample of a provider’s case files are requested and a rating system developed by the original researchers in consultation with The Law Society, Peer Reviewers, Law Centres and advice agencies.

The reviewer highlighted many areas of good practice, commenting that the files were orderly and evidenced that appropriate instructions were taken, clients were regularly kept updated and the communication was tailored to their individual case and included likely timescales. They commented:

‘Clients were given excellent and realistic advice’.

Steve Dibb, Head of Risk & Compliance commented ‘this is an excellent result for both the department and the firm demonstrating the hard work to meet the challenging Legal Aid contract requirements whilst providing clients who are often facing difficult circumstances with a high quality legal service”.