Background
The Review Panel of independent lawyers considers appeals against the LAA’s decisions to refuse or withdraw legal aid and where costs are reduced or disallowed.
There are two distinct roles within the panel although many members cover both. Appeals about the grant of funding are referred to Independent Funding Adjudicators (IFAs) and appeals about costs are referred to Independent Costs Assessors (ICAs).
There are also two sub panels:
- The Special Controls Review Sub Panel (SCRP) considers appeals in high cost and/or complex civil cases, some of which are high profile.
- Very High Cost Cases Sub Panel which resolves disputes in the most complex and expensive criminal cases run in accordance with individual contracts which govern the terms of fee negotiations.
Membership of the Review Panel is a public appointment by the Lord Chancellor.
The recruitment process covered by the Governance Code on Public Appointments issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Chair appointments
The current LAA Review Panel chair appointments are:
Panel Co-Chairs: Gareth Owen and Priya Solanki
Panel Vice Chair: Michael Field
SCRP Chair: Awaiting appointment
The LAA Review Panel Manager is Mark Crosskill.
Reference materials
Review Panel Arrangements contain the membership criteria and procedures.
Appeals Manual contains guidance on the consideration of appeals.
Legal Aid Guidance covers published guidance on the grant of legal aid and costs assessment.
See also:
Standard Civil Contract 2024
Standard Crime Contract 2022
The training modules for new panel members will be posted on this website. They are currently under review following the 2024 recruitment campaign.
Future recruitment
We are always on the look out for new members to join the panel. As these are public appointments there is a formal process to be followed which can take 9-12 months. The recruitment campaign begins with an announcement on the gov.uk website and ministerial approval is required at certain stages.
The full membership criteria are set out in the Review Panel Arrangements but in summary applications will be considered from:
• Solicitors
• Barristers
• Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
• Qualified Costs Lawyers
All candidates are expected to have regular involvement in legal aid work. Solicitors and Legal Executives must work for an organisation which holds a contract with the LAA or have done so within the two years prior to their application.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the panel they are welcome to contact us for information and/or an informal discussion.
Please email: LAA.Review.Panel.Membership@Justice.gov.uk.
If you would like us to alert you when the new recruitment exercise is launched please email Mark.Crosskill@Justice.gov.uk.
It is envisaged that the next campaign will begin in late 2025.