With its usual perfect timing, the LSC last week launched its programme of training on the implementation of the legal aid changes. The new scheme goes live on 1st April 2013; the training courses are being run during March and April. Many of the sessions will not therefore take place until the changes have already happened.
But practitioners will need to think through the implications for their organisations before, not after, 1st April.
We have therefore created a resource page with all the key material so far published, and will continue to keep it up to date as more comes out. You can find the page here.
The new edition of the Handbook, which will be published for the start of the new scheme, is now available for pre-order (click the cover on the right to pre-order by email). For this edition, we are particularly pleased to welcome Tony Edwards who has edited the crime chapters.
Legal Aid Handbook 
The introduction of LASPO has been widely publicised however many other changes being made to the CPR have not been so well communicated for example the costs budgeting rules on multi track claims. Come April, without proper training for solicitors being available before then or indeed clear rules, so many firms are going to be running their cases without compliance with the rules and finding out a year or so down the line that they have done all their work only to recover the court fees. Be careful all make sure you file your costs budgets within 21 days of the defence!