“a number of respondents were concerned about “follow-on” business, where a client initially engaged through a HPCD scheme contract becomes a client of the firm for a wider range of issues (usually legally aided). It was argued that it is an important feature of the client experience and of market sustainability and that there was a risk that the larger areas envisioned could limit the potential for that important source of continuity (for the client) and income (for the provider, or their agent).”
“The court should not intervene merely because it considers that further inquiries would have been sensible or desirable. It should intervene only if no reasonable … authority could have been satisfied on the basis of the inquiries made.”
“what the not very apposite term “irrationality” generally means in this branch of the law is a decision which does not add up – in which, in other words, there is an error of reasoning which robs the decision of logic”
“HPCD schemes are too small, if only they were bigger.”
“the concept of “due regard” requires the court to ensure that there has been a proper and conscientious focus on the statutory criteria… the decision maker must be clear precisely what the equality implications are when he puts them in the balance, and he must recognize the desirability of achieving them, but ultimately it is for him to decide what weight they should be given in the light of all relevant factors.”