Firms will shortly be invited to bid for brand new legal aid contracts to do inquest work ahead of an expected surge once the so-called Hillsborough Law comes into force.

The government estimates that the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will increase the number of legally aided inquests from the current 200-400 to as many as 11,400. The legislation has passed through the House of Commons and is awaiting a second reading in the Lords.

Publishing a ‘headline intentions’ document this week, the Legal Aid Agency said firms will shortly be invited to tender for the new contracts. An ‘unlimited’ number of contracts will be on offer with no fixed limit on the volume of work done by contract holders.

Contract holders must have an office in the procurement area that meets the LAA’s ‘part-time presence’ definition and employ a part-time supervisor of the inquest work. Firms must also have access to an authorised litigator available to each office. Successful bidders will be awarded a 2024 Standard Civil Contract, which expires on 30 June 2028.

The document states that the government will publish its response to a consultation on fee changes shortly. The ministry proposes a single fee scheme. Fee rates for ‘service elements’ of legal help, such as travel and waiting, and routine letters and calls, and advocacy would be brought together.

Law Society vice president Brett Dixon said: 'The current fee levels for providers continue to be set too low. This may deter firms from taking the necessary steps to develop the expertise to build the capacity needed, potentially continuing the uphill struggle bereaved families face to get support. The fees offered are unworkable for many legal aid providers, regardless of demand.

'The government must offer fees that reflect the reality of providing legal aid services if it wants to hit the capacity our society needs. Without sustained investment, the gap between the government’s plans for the justice system, and its ability to deliver them, will continue to widen.'

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