The High Court today heard an application for an interim injunction in the judicial review of the crime duty tender brought by the CLSA and the LCCSA with the support of the Law Society (the Society’s own separate judicial review application was issued yesterday).
The Court granted an injunction suspending the tender process pending a full hearing of the claim, due on 15 and 16 January.
The MoJ has confirmed it is not appealing today’s injunction, but will contest the full hearing in the new year. Meanwhile, the LAA issued a notice to bidders suspending access to the e-tendering portal, though giving very little other information.
Practitioners would be well advised to continue their preparations for tendering and bid submission. The outcome of the full JR is not yet known and today’s injunction isn’t a guarantee that it will succeed – if it doesn’t, there is a risk that an already tight timetable might become even more difficult.
Legal Aid Handbook 
Pingback: Legal Aid Crime Duty Contracts Reprieve | THB Legal Blog