16 May 2007
The Secretary of State for Justice, Lord Falconer, in his role as Lord Chancellor, has appointed Mr Barry Elliott and Ms Jane Hickman to the Legal Services Commission.
Mr Elliott has been appointed for a period of four years from 1 June 2007. He brings in-depth financial management and strategy skills to the Commission, and will advise the Commission in these key areas of work.
Ms Hickman has been appointed for a period of three years from 1 June 2007. She brings comprehensive knowledge of criminal legal aid practice and will advise the Commission on the strategic challenge of the legal aid reform programme.
Lord Falconer said:
'I am delighted that Mr Elliott and Ms Hickman have accepted appointment to the Commission, which is a major contributor to the Government's programme to reform the justice system and is crucial to creating a sustainable legal aid scheme. I have every confidence that they will both contribute strongly to achieving the Commission's goals.'
Mr Elliott has spent his entire career in the public service, most recently as director of finance at the South East Coast and the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority, playing a major part in its health and social care transformation programme. His successes in the NHS include shaping proposals for new hospitals, the planning and funding of new developments, and the re-configuration of financial services. He brings with him experience of developing the financial strategy underpinning transformation programmes, allocating and aligning resources, as well as procuring clinical services from professionals to meet the health needs of the public. All these challenges are compatible with those of the Legal Services Commission in procuring publicly funded legal services from practitioners.
Mr Elliott has worked at board level both as an executive director and as a member, and also served on the Council of Healthcare and Financial Management for six years, being elected as its national Chairman in 2000. He has extensive experience both reporting to and advising audit committees and in procurement and market management, the migration of financial services and shared business services. He is a qualified Accountant.
Ms Hickman is a managing partner of Hickman and Rose, which she founded in 1991. Her firm specialises in criminal justice and also deal with civil law and human rights issues.
She has vast experience in running serious criminal cases, with particular interest in scientific and other forensic issues. She now specialises in complex and difficult criminal work, particularly at the appellate level, and in cases straddling the criminal and civil jurisdictions.
Ms Hickman lectures and writes on Human Rights issues, including in recent years for Liberty and Justice. She has also lectured on legal aid policy and management issues for the Legal Action Group and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, and holds membership of both. She is a member of the editorial board of Independent Lawyer, and Secretary of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association, which works to develop and improve the procedures available to people who have suffered miscarriages of justice.
Remuneration for the appointment is £345 per day, with an expected time commitment of 50 days per annum for Mr Elliott and 45 for Ms Hickman. Travel and subsistence expenses are also reimbursed.
The appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice (http://www.ocpa.gov.uk/publications/pdf/codeofpractice_aug05.pdf). This states that all appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be made public; Mr Elliott and Ms Hickman have not declared any such activity.
Notes for Editors:
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and is accountable to the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor. In addition to the Chair, Sir Michael Bichard, there are currently eight Commissioners. The Chief Executive, Carolyn Regan, is responsible to the Commissioners and is supported by four Executive Directors.
The Legal Services Commission runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. Working in partnership with solicitors' firms and advice agencies it ensures that some of society's most vulnerable people can protect their rights and get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of problems. These services are provided through two schemes:
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The Community Legal Service (CLS) which is a network of organisations which funds, provides and promotes civil legal and advice services. Quality legal services are provided for people who cannot afford them, by matching priority needs with available resources
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The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) which provides criminal defence services to those suspected or accused of crimes.
Commissioners contribute to the work of the LSC according to their experience and abilities. Members have a duty to bring an independent judgement to bear on Commission business and are expected to observe the highest standards of personal honesty and integrity. Members are expected to adhere to a Code of Conduct which sets out, for example, rules on declaring conflicts of interest and on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality.