Peer Reviewers’ role

Peer Reviewers are solicitors who are sufficiently experienced in criminal law and the criminal legal assistance system to conduct periodic reviews of criminal legal assistance case files. This is to ensure that they comply with the guidelines and criteria agreed between us and the Law Society. It is essential that the peer reviewers have experience of dealing with criminal cases at solemn, summary and appeal level.

Peer reviewers are appointed after an open recruitment process from the profession.

Due to the nature of the role, it is unlikely candidates will have sufficient expertise to perform the role with less than five years post qualifying practising experience.  Ideally therefore, we require applicants to:

• Hold a full and current practising certificate .
• Have a minimum of five years post qualifying practising experience.
• Have been practising within the last two years.
• Have a good level of experience of dealing with criminal cases at solemn, summary and appeal level.
• Continue to practise during the three year period of the peer review contract.

Peer Reviewers will be contracted on a consultancy basis. They will have to be available to provide up to two days a month to carry out these reviews. They will have to attend compulsory training, which will be provided before conducting any reviews.

The contract will be for a three year fixed period.

Payment will be on a daily rate. Travel and subsistence expenses will also be paid when required.