Legal experts unite to offer lawyers a LASPO survival strategy 

In the wake of highly contentious changes to the Legal Aid system, online magazine, Legal Voice, is to hold two conferences dedicated to helping Law Centres, citizens advice bureaux, law firms and other legal advisers survive, following the introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act, in April 2013.

Sponsored by Lexacom Digital Dictation, the LASPO Survival conferences bring together some of the leading experts in the provision of legal services to share best practice, techniques and advice, designed to ensure affordable legal support remains accessible to those who need it.

The first event, to be hosted by Allen & Overy LLP on the 15th July, will include a keynote address by Lord Low of Dalston CBE on the future of advice and legal support on social welfare issues, with closing remarks from Lord Bach of Butterworth, former Justice Minister in Government and Shadow Justice Minister in opposition and fierce critic of LASPO.

Topics covered will include getting exceptional case funding under LASPO, pro bono and using volunteers, charging for services in the not-for-profit sector and using digital technology to be cost effective, efficient and client friendly. The conference will also showcase successful projects funded by the Baring Foundation. The conference will be repeated in Leeds on the 30th September.

LegalVoice founder and conference organiser, David Gilmore said, “the changes to the legal aid system through LASPO have far reaching consequences, not just for lawyers and advice agencies, but for the public as a whole. The LASPO Survival conferences are designed to help lawyers and advice agencies continue to provide the best possible service they can despite the new legislation, so that we can do our best to protect fair access to justice for all.”

Dr Andrew Whiteley, Managing Director of Lexacom Digital Dictation, said, “we are delighted to be principal sponsor of the LegalVoice LASPO Survival conferences, as a natural extension of our longstanding support for the London Legal Support Trust. Making good use of technology to operate cost effectively is now more important than ever and Lexacom is pleased to be able to support Law Centres and advice agencies in achieving that aim.”

Lawyers and advisors wishing to attend the conference can download the booking form at www.legalvoice.org.uk. The conference costs just £90 to attend, reduced to £60 where delegates subscribe to the LegalVoice e-mail newsletter (there is no charge for subscription).

The LASPO Survival Conferences have been set up by Legal Voice, a free online magazine about access to justice, aimed at legal aid law firms, the not-for-profit sector and all organisations providing publicly-funded legal advice in the UK. Alongside Lexacom as principal sponsor, the conferences are supported by DG Legal, MD Communications, DPS Software and Playne Design.

About Legal Voice

LegalVoice is an online magazine about ‘access to justice’. It is aimed at legal aid law firms, the not-for-profit sector and all organisations providing publicly-funded legal advice in the UK.

LegalVoice is a not-for-profit venture.  It was launched in May 2012 in the midst of the biggest shake-up of legal aid since a system of publicly-funded law was set up as a key part of the welfare state under the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949.

The online magazine:

• disseminates all the information practitioners need to know about legal aid;

• keeps legal aid professionals abreast of the changes in the sector;

• delivers insightful commentary and expert analysis; and

• provides a forum for legal aid professional to exchange ideas.

About Lexacom

Lexacom first pioneered digital dictation software in 1997 and it is now used to create over 10 million documents a year by professionals in the healthcare, legal and financial professions.

The software enables authors to flag the importance of a dictation, while admin teams can immediately see both the priority and length of the dictation and can plan their workload accordingly. The software offers secure mobile dictation, multi-site information sharing and advanced management and reporting features.

Lexacom provides a flexible service which can be tailored to individual clients.  They offer a free, no-obligation 30 day trial to all new customers and provide excellent support through their UK technical team.

Lexacom began working with the London Legal Support Trust in 2011 and has continued to support the trust, through both sponsorship and use of technology.

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