News - News - LSC “Recklessness” Led to Mental Health Judicial Review Claim Says Saimo Chahal

The Mental Health Lawyers Association (MHLA) has issued a judicial review claim challenging the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) decision to introduce a fixed fee scheme for mental health work in January 2008. The claim, issued on their behalf by Richard Charlto, the MHLA Chair and Sophy Miles, one of its members, will argue that the new scheme puts justice in a strait-jacket, preventing skilled mental health lawyers from properly safeguarding the rights of vulnerable people.

Saimo Chahal, partner at Bindman & Partners acting for the claimants, said: "The LSC's recklessness in ignoring the views of those who are at the sharp end of these reforms has left the claimants with no option but to issue this claim. The claimants represent solicitors who have said enough is enough. The combination of fixed fees and the draft mental health specification make it impossible to offer effective, professional representation to this vulnerable group. Their interests will be severely compromised as well as solicitors professional standards."