New LSC chair appointed

Sir Michael Bichard has been appointed as the new chair of the Legal Services Commission (LSC), the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) announced today (3 March).

Sir Michael worked as a solicitor before taking up a series of roles in local government and then the Department for Education and Employment. Most recently, in 2001, he was made Rector of the London Institute.

His new role is the LSC’s most senior non-executive position, and will run for five years. During his term of office, Sir Michael will be overseeing a full review of legal aid.

Sir Michael said that under his leadership, the LSC would develop new programmes and services to ensure access to justice for the most vulnerable members of society.