Extension of peer reviewer contracts confirmed

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is set to issue extension notices to all providers currently operating under the Peer Reviewer Contract. Initially, contracts were scheduled to conclude on 31 August 2026, but they will now be extended by six months, lasting until 28 February 2027. This adjustment comes as part of an initiative to ensure the continuous sustainability of peer review services within the legal aid framework.

Beginning in May 2026, a new procurement process will be initiated for the Peer Reviewer Contract. Services under this new round of contracts are expected to commence on 1 March 2027. The procurement will cover various Categories of Law, including Crime, Family, Housing, Immigration and Asylum, and Mental Health. All new contracts, once established, will remain effective until 28 February 2037, although early termination rights will still apply.

The LAA has detailed the anticipated changes within the Peer Reviewer Contract, which will see some modifications designed to support the service in the long term. “Our intention is that key features of the Peer Reviewer Contract will include the following provisions,” the agency stated, highlighting an increase in remuneration to £58.93 per hour for peer reviewers. Additionally, the agency plans to introduce a 10-year contract with annual admissions, allowing new Peer Reviewers to submit tenders throughout the application period.

New compliance measures will facilitate ongoing monitoring of peer reviewer performance, ensuring that the standards expected of these professionals are upheld. There will also be alignment with the enhancements being made to the Peer Review Independent Expert Service. This approach acknowledges the changing dynamics within the service where peer review will increasingly operate through panel arrangements rather than on an individual basis.

Minimum requirements for prospective Peer Reviewers will include demonstrating financial viability and holding the relevant qualifications. Furthermore, applicants must maintain Cyber Essentials accreditation and participate in mandatory training provided by the LAA.

To facilitate the application process, all interested candidates must submit their tenders through two primary platforms: the Central Digital Platform (CDP) for supplier registration and the LAA eTendering System for contract responses. The timetable for the procurement process is expected to follow the proposed schedule, opening in May 2026 and concluding in June 2026, followed by notification of outcomes in July 2026 with service commencement set for 1 March 2027. As these changes are implemented, they aim to bolster the peer review system within legal aid and improve service delivery across the board.

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