Civil news: extension of HPCDS contracts to 31 October 2023

Extension notices are being issued shortly to tell providers that Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme (HPCDS) contracts will be extended.

Why is this happening?

We are extending contracts to allow us to put in place new contracts to deliver the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. This is the replacement service for HPCDS.

This needs to happen now because HPCDS services are currently being delivered through contingency contracts which were extended from 1 October 2022 to 29 April 2023.

These arrangements, which maintain the 2013 Standard Civil Contract exclusive schedule arrangements, will now be extended further to 31 October 2023.

Extension timescales

All existing HPCDS providers will be offered an extension of their current contract running to 31 October 2023. This includes a break clause which can be exercised in July 2023.

What do I need to do?

We will be writing to all current HPCDS contract providers to confirm our intentions and formally issue extension offers in the next few days.

Providers will need to sign into the contract extension, or where they do not wish to do so, confirm this to the LAA by the date set out in their letter.

Further information

Standard Civil Contract (Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme) 2013 – 2013 civil contract (HPCDS) documents are available on GOV.UK

Housing Legal Aid: the way forward – to view the consultation and consultation response on GOV.UK