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 announced that a long awaited review into Civil Legal Aid will finally get underway , that is the good news , the bad news is it is not expected to report until the end of 2024 which would mean any new Government post election is likely to be faced with implementing changes . The review
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The Law Society has confirmed that is has issued a letter before Action to the SSJ over the Governments irrational and unlawful approach to implementation of the emergency measures to be taken to the crisis in Criminal Legal Aid as recommended by The Bellamy Report . “We argue the lord chancellor’s decision not to remunerate solicitors by the bare
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The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has voted for indefinite strike action from 5 September 2022, escalating its protest to the government’s proposals on criminal legal aid . Since April, hundreds of barristers have adopted ‘no returns’ as part of a push for the government to uplift rates by 25%. This meant that no other barrister would take an instructed barrister’s
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Following the Independent Review into Criminal Legal Aid by Sir Christopher Bellamy the conclusions supported what Criminal Defence Solicitors had been saying for years – that the justice system and legal aid funding was in crisis . It is no understatement to say that the Criminal Justice System is on the point of collapse . Sir Christopher responded in strong
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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 moreCriminal Firms are this week awaiting the outcome of the tender which was promised on wednesday but has still not been delivered . It should be announced either today or tomorrow . Firms in South Yorkshire are fighting over just 7 contracts . It seems however that the Governments intention to contract the market even further is now made more
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 –
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