Tony WrightTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department what assessment she has made of the effect of current fee levels on the quality of publicly-funded family law work. [115682]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonSolicitor firms or not-for-profit organisations which undertake publicly-funded family work must meet the Legal Services Commission's quality standard in order to undertake work. We have no evidence that those quality requirements are not currently met.
There is no quality standard for barristers undertaking family work. Barristers are remunerated for work in family proceedings under the Family Graduated Fees scheme, which is currently under review. Although there is some evidence some senior counsel are not available to undertake the work at current remuneration levels, I am not aware of any case or cases where suitable representation has not been provided.