§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the 20 solicitors' companies in rank order which have received the most money from the Legal Aid Board and the amount paid to them in each of the last five years. [26742]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe 20 solicitors' firms receiving the most money from the Legal Aid Board in 1993–94 and 1994–95 are listed. Figures for the previous three years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Fee payments to solicitors' firms 1993–94 Rank Firm Amount paid £ 1 Robinsons 3,243,614 2 The Smith Partnership 2,502,581 3 Brendan Fleming 2,427,040 4 Irwin Mitchell 2,135,450 5 Pictons 2,108,801 6 Hugh James Jones and Jenkins 1,904,482 7 Nelson Johnson and Hastings 1,851,869 8 Hodge Jones and Allen 1,833,646 9 Stephensons 1,736,863 10 Russell and Russell 1,683,591 11 TV Edwards 1,651,832 12 Powell Spencer and Partners 1,542,569 13 John Howell and Co 1,520,285 14 Iliffes Booth Bennett 1,502,287 15 Forbes and Partners 1,502,251 16 Hart Brown 1,478,979 17 McGrath and Co 1,455,032 18 Tyndallwoods and Millichip 1,422,874 19 R. Gwynne and Sons 1,416,620 20 Goldsmith Williams 1,408,409 534W
Fee payments to solicitors' firms 1994–95 Rank Firm Amount paid £ 1 Leigh Day and Co. 8,331,586 2 Robinsons 2,806,424 3 Brendan Fleming 2,685,721 4 Irwin Mitchell 2,419,950 5 The Smith Partnership 2,388,512 6 Pictons 2,202,127 7 Hugh James Jones and Jenkins 2,007,195 8 Nelson Johnson and Hastings 1,977,206 9 Hodge Jones and Allen 1,857,077 10 Stephensons 1,847,252 11 John Howell and Co. 1,832,717 12 Hart Brown 1,811,452
Fee payments to solicitors' firms 1994–95 Rank Firm Amount paid £ 13 Ilffees Booth Bennett 1,677,068 14 Russell and Russell 1,667,759 15 Tyndallwoods 1,664,141 16 T V Edwards 1,652,947 17 Powell Spender and Partners 1,615,022 18 Forbes and Partners 1,602,053 19 McGrath and Co. 1,599,705 20 Fisher Meredith 1,589,059 The figures shown are based on the main final bills received from solicitors, inclusive of VAT and disbursements, in respect of civil legal aid, criminal legal aid in the magistrates courts, legal advice and assistance, assistance by way of representation and duty solicitors schemes. They do not include counsels' fees, payments on account which would have been paid or recouped, nor adjustment purposes only cases, where the costs are met by the other side and ultimately no payment is made out of the fund. Neither do they take account of amounts received or recovered by way of contributions, costs or damages awarded.