Nip off to do a bit of Peer Review training and look what happens!. Do read the entire Press release (and links) however the highlights are:

Moratorium on planned October changes to the CDS - PACE standard fees, VHCC panel, Litigators Fee, CDS direct etc.

New 6-month Criminal contracts from January 14th 2008 (yes you read that right) via an "open process", followed by a "unified contract for criminal services from July 2008.

Best Value Tendering to follow.

This is all as a result of the the Law Society JR being "substantially rejected" earlier in the Summer. The LSC have also announced their intention to appeal that decision.

Their dog-in-the-manger response, via the 6-month contracts outlined above, is summed up by the Chief Executive as follows:

“The judgment (sic) could possibly result in the need for much shorter contracts to ensure that we can amend the ‘technical specifications’ at regular intervals to reflect changes in circumstances or Government policy. Such short-term contracts would not be in the interests of providers, or clients.”

Or - Oh you naughty, ungrateful children, now look what you made us do!