SOLICITORS’ LEADERS are warning that immediate action is needed to save the justice system as criminal legal aid law firms continue to go under at an alarming rate.
The criminal legal aid system is reaching breaking point, even before the impact of Covid-19 hits home, says the Law Society of England and Wales.
Government figures show that, as of 3 June, there are just 1,147 firms now holding a criminal legal aid contract.
“Ministers will be failing in their duty to protect the justice system if they fail to act fast to shore it up.”
Simon Davis, the Law Society president
Worryingly, that means there are already 124 fewer criminal legal aid firms than the 1,271 in 2019, a drop of 10 percent, and far fewer than the 1,861 firms that existed in 2010.*
Circumstances
Simon Davis, the Law Society president, said: “The Ministry of Justice must take action to address this extremely disturbing fall in the number of criminal legal aid law firms – a situation which is only likely to spiral in the current circumstances.
“If the criminal defence sector collapses, the government will be forced to rebuild it via a public defence service, which would cost the taxpayer far more and is not what a proper system of justice deserves.”
Government references that in excess of £400m is available to civil and criminal legal aid practitioners, despite attempts by the Law Society to point out the figure is not what is seems, does nothing to help tackle the crisis in the justice system.
Available
There are increasingly large areas of the country where there are no defence solicitors available.
While those facing domestic abuse and homelessness or who need legal support around mental health issues all face being left without the advice and representation they need.
As long ago as 4 May, Alex Chalk MP, Under Secretary of State for Justice, told the Justice Select Committee that proposals from the Law Society were under “active consideration“.
“After years of underfunding, legal aid professionals are at their wits end,” added Simon Davis.
“Criminal legal aid practitioners were in crisis before the coronavirus pandemic hit. They have continued to keep the wheels of justice turning, at risk to their own physical, mental and financial health, but get nothing back in return.
“Ministers will be failing in their duty to protect the justice system if they fail to act fast to shore it up.”
The Ministry of Justice’s criminal legal aid review accelerated areas consultation closed on June 17.
Comments Form
1 Comment
The justice system is Racist.in the way they treat Black people
they should be investigated in the way they handle certain cases that are brought to them, and how Black people are treated unfairly when such case are handled through their system, the Judical system, cases that are brought to the Employment Tribunal, bias and unfairness that surround these cases,the Barrister standard board on how they handle complaint that is brought to them,They all should be looked into and how they handle these cases,the system is not innocent
black lives matter