Historic Abuse Redress Scheme: Transfer of Scheme Lawyers

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A decision made 30 September 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2013-0040
Decision Summary Title :	Historic Abuse Redress Scheme – Transfer of Scheme Lawyers		Date of Decision Summary:	27th September 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Managing Director of Community & Social Services		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	-		Date of Written Report:	-
Written Report Author:			Written Report : Public or Exempt?
Subject: Transfer of Scheme Lawyers for the Historic Abuse Redress Scheme
Decision(s): The Minister for Health and Social Services, who has responsibility for the administration of the Historic Abuse Redress Scheme, following consultation with the Chief Minister, has determined that the scheme is to transfer from Mourant Ozannes to Lacey Advocates. The transfer has commenced and subject to the consent of each of the claimants, it is anticipated that it will start to take effect from 1 October 2013.
Reason(s) for decision: The team at Mourant Ozannes was led until December 2012 by Advocate Beverley Lacey. She advised on the establishment of the scheme and has advised the Minister in relation to the scheme throughout, in close liaison with the Health and Social Services Department and the Council of Ministers. In December 2012, Advocate Lacey left Mourant Ozannes and established Lacey Advocates. In March 2013, the Minister instructed Lacey Advocates to advise on various matters connected to historic abuse. More recently, the Chief Minister and the Health and Social Services Minister decided that, for reasons of continuity, the administration of the scheme would be transferred to Lacey Advocates.
Resource Implications The provision of funds for legal fees in relation to the Historic Abuse Redress Scheme is retained by the Treasury. No additional resources implications are anticipated as a result of this decision in relation to this fund or HSSD budgets.
Action required: The Managing Director of Community & Social Services is instructed to transfer the scheme from Mourant Ozannes to Lacey Advocates with effect from the 1st October 2013.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):