Local Government

Background

A government introduces new regulation of legal aid fees, resulting in substantial reductions in fees paid to some lawyers. Representative bodies for the lawyers challenge the changes in court, where the judge indicates that the parties should mediate.

Outcome

At the ensuing mediation, it becomes apparent that although the presenting issue is interpretation of the new rules, what matters to both sides is money – negative fees for the lawyers, and cost for the government. The parties explore this tension, rendering irrelevant the question of interpretation, and agree a financial settlement acceptable to both sides.