Consultation on the quality of criminal advocacy

The joint Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency consultation paper, Preserving and Enhancing the Quality of Criminal Advocacy, is seeking views on: the proposed introduction of a panel scheme; the proposed introduction of a statutory ban on referral fees; how disguised referral fees can be identified and prevented; and the proposed introduction of stronger measures to ensure client choice and prevent conflicts of interest.

• Available here. This consultation ends on 27 November 2015

Noise-induced hearing loss working group

The Civil Justice Council has set up a new working group to make recommendations to the government on how the handling of claims for noise-induced hearing loss might be improved, including how a fixed costs regime for those cases might work.

• Terms of reference of the working group, available here.

Review of claims management regulation

HM Treasury and the Ministry of Justice have commissioned a fundamental review of the regulation of claims management companies. The terms of reference outline the scope of the review. The review is due to be completed by early 2016. 

•  Terms of reference of the review, available here