News About Legal Aid and the Government Proposals on Transforming Legal Aid
The Law Society has now issued Judicial Review Proceedings against the Government “We believe the government’s decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by the recommended minimum 15% is both unlawful and irrational. It will have dire consequences for access to justice and the future of our criminal justice system.” said Law Society president Lubna Shuja. “We
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The Ministry of Justice has now published a consultation on accelerated changes to the public funding arrangements for Criminal Legal Aid . This follows from on going work which continues in designing a new scheme for public funding which is intended to provide a long term sustainable scheme for public funding for criminal legal aid . The proposals which can
Read moreSolicitors across the UK have this week gone on Strike over another Draconian 8.75% cut on legal aid rates which have already been slashed over the last 10 years and by a further 8.75% cut last year . This amounts to a 17.5% cut which is unsustainable for Solicitors to operate under . As a result Solicitors having tried to
Read moreMr Justice Burnett today handed down judgement in the Judicial Review brought by the CLSA and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association . The challenge was won with the Court holding that the consultation was procedurally unfair due to the failure to consult on the Otterburn and KMPG Reports . The Judgement can be accessed here : the-queen-on-the-application-of-lccsa-clsa-v-the-lord-chancellor (1)
Read more[youtube=http://youtu.be/pjOigFHdVIY] Justice Alliance continue action on 16th June as part of the on going protests against the Government Cuts which are destroying the Justice System . MAGNA CARTA DAY IN SHEFFIELD MONDAY 16 JUNE – LUNCHBREAK PROTEST Magna Carta Day lunchtime protest in Sheffield city centre Against cuts to justice! Defending justice for all! 12.15 pm –
Read moreAn appeal against QASA – The Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates has been granted . This is likely to be heard relatively quickly as it effects Solicitor Advocates as well as the Bar who are all opposing the Scheme as unfair . In other news the Crowns Appeals of terminating rulings in the Fraud Cases where the defendants could not
Read moreDoncaster Solicitors withdraw services on 31st March and 1st April to Support Lawyers National Protest over Legal Aid Reforms Doncaster solicitors have decided to join a National Protest against Legal Aid Reforms in opposition to radical plans being brought by the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling. If the proposals are put in place then Cuts of over 17.5% will be
Read moreThis note brings up to date news as we have it . The CSLA and LCCSA have called a National Meeting of Equity Partners or Solicitors qualified to make decisions on behalf of their firms on 19th March in Manchester – Follow this Link http://www.lccsa.org.uk/criminal-solicitors-national-meeting/ In addition Richard Miller from the Criminal Justice Committee at the Law Society will be attending
Read moreThe proposals see : – 17.5% cuts spread over two years – Duty contracts with only 525 national contracts and only 7 in south Yorkshire as a whole – Caps on Crown Court Cases under 500 pages – New National Fixed Fee for Police Station and changes to magistrates renumeration – Promise of financial support for bids – Lots of
Read moreBarristers and Solicitors will again be unavailable to attend Court on 7th March as part of the ongoing protest against the Governments proposed legal aid cuts This time the protest will last a full day with every sign it will escalate further if the Governments current unwillingness to listen continues .
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