Dump the lawyer, cut the bill
THROWING solictors out of court has reduced Charter Housing's annual legal bill by 95 per cent. Unsurprisingly, the Home Office is now considering following its lead; The Newport-based hous ing association reduced the amount it spends on lawyers from £108,000 to £4300 by teaching housing staff how to prepare and present housing injunction cases in court, reports Housing Today (Jan 21).
The magazine says that the Home Office is considering a similar idea that would also see housing staff doing the legal legwork on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs). The average ASBO costs local authorities or housing associations about £2000; while some cost up to £9000.
John Friday, Charter's nuisance prevention team manager, says that the cost of legal action is no excuse for ignoring antisocial behaviour. "We do everything on our own for housing injunctions, including presenting our case ' in court," he says. "You can work without solicitors, prepare the papers and appoint a barrister yourself."
However, Housing Today's editorial says that DIY ASBOs will work only in simple cases. "Anything beyond a straight- forward hearing runs the risk of unfortunate housing officers quickly finding themselves out of their depth."
The Times - Public Agenda 25 January 2005