LSC chief exec: contracting shift is not to blame for agency closures

Last month (25 May) LLST chief executive Bob Nightingale told The Lawyer that, due to a change in LSC contracting arrangements, fewer cases are being ­handled, while cashflow has become a major issue for legal advice centres, adding that the centre in Lewisham had been forced to close.

Admitting that a number of agencies have experienced difficulties, LSC chief executive Carolyn Regan refuted the claim that the LSC could be held partly responsible.

“We’re aware that a small number of agencies have experienced difficulty despite the transitional arrangements introduced ­specifically for the not-for-profit sector,” she said. “The LSC has worked to support struggling agencies and to prevent any unnecessary closures.

“Mr Nightingale partly blames the Lewisham ­closure on our contracting arrangements, but the centre acknowledged its difficulties predated the fixed fees and were not down to the LSC.”