Legal aid contracts to be cut by two thirds for Criminal Solicitors

Criminal lawyers have warned the Government that miscarriages of justice will flow from their decision to reduce the value of Legal Aid contracts.

Those law firms with On Call contracts will be reduced from the current 1,600 firms to 527 firms covering England and Wales with the Government seemingly intent on restructuring the profession despite losing a recent Judicial Review.

The expectation is that the Criminal Law market will need to undergo a process of consolidation as a more firms are chasing fewer Legal Aid Contracts.

Andrew Caplen, President of the Law Society said, "We are extremely disappointed with this announcement. In our view the scheme fails to meet the ministry's own objectives of ensuring that criminal legal aid must be sustainable with enough solicitors doing criminal duty work".

He went on to say, "Some areas of the country could be left with no legal representation for anyone accused of a crime, depriving vulnerable members of the public from access to justice".

In return the Legal Aid Agency believes the changes will lead to a 17.5% reduction in costs.

Furthermore an unnamed Ministry Of Justice spokesman said, "Legal Aid is a vital part of our justice system. We must ensure it is available for the individuals who need it, sustainable for the lawyers who provide it and affordable for the tax payers who ultimately pay for it.

Legal Aid Solicitors