The Joint Advocacy Group (JAG), comprising legal regulators Bar Standards Board (BSB), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and CILEx Regulation, are preparing for the implementation of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) by launching a new consultation today.

The consultation, which is the first phase of the implementation of the Scheme following the decision by the Supreme Court in June that the Scheme is lawful, seeks input on minor changes to QASA.

JAG has stated that it:

“is aware of the Ministry of Justice consultation paper on a package of proposals to maintain standards of criminal advocacy. Maintaining standards is a core regulatory responsibility and JAG welcomes the focus that the Ministry of Justice is giving to this issue. It is critical that JAG ensures that QASA is ready to be implemented in order to complement any panel scheme that the Legal Aid Agency or other agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service may need to operate from the perspective of purchasers of legal services. This consultation is a key part to getting QASA ready for immediate implementation.”

A JAG spokesperson said,

“We are committed to implementing QASA as soon as possible. The consultation is the first phase of that implementation. More detail will be provided in due course about how advocates can register.”

The full QASA consultation document can be viewed here.