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Come Join Us!

Come Join Us!

Membership of Tees Valley Law Society offers opportunities whether you are a qualified solicitor or other legal professional, or you are in the early stages of training.

Members are offered discounted rates for all of our training events, which are held locally and at the end of the working day to ensure the least disruption to you, your firm and your clients. We hold regular networking and social events where members can come together informally to discuss issues within the profession, but more importantly to share ideas.

Membership of TVLS is about offering support whether formally through involvement of the Council or more informally by sharing ideas about best practice with other firms. By becoming a member of TVLS there are opportunities to become involved in the running of the Society, whether through membership of Council or Committees or in a more informal role.

The application process is quick and simple and membership is great value. Join us today.

LAA Responds To AGFS Consultation

LAA Responds To AGFS Consultation

In early 2017, the Ministry of Justice consulted on proposed reforms to the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS). The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has now published the Government's response to the consultation's findings.

The Government believes that change is needed to better reward 'work done' and to reflect the reality of the modern criminal justice system, and intends to proceed with a revised AGFS that better emphasises these points. To this end, the Government plan to lay a Statutory Instrument in Parliament to bring these reforms into effect, targeting an implementation date of 1 April 2018.

You can read the full response here.

Meanwhile, the LAA has said it will be launching a further consultation regarding the inclusion of Crown Court advocacy in the 14 hour rule, a requirement in crime contracts that duty solicitors carry out 14 hours of contract work per week for the office for which their duty slots have been obtained. We will provide further information about this new consultation when it becomes available.