Law Society and Criminal Law Solicitors Association questioned on future of legal aid

The Independent Review on Criminal Legal Aid conducted by Sir Christopher Bellamy recommended that funding for criminal legal aid should be increased by at least 15% from current levels and wider changes made to how fee schemes operate. The Justice Committee’s own report, published in July 2021, called for fees to be restructured to ensure pay adequately represents the amount of work carried out and for means testing to be simplified. 

Earlier this year, the Government announced that it would introduce a 15% increase to criminal legal aid fees that would take effect from 30 September 2022, meaning current cases would not receive any increase. Following industrial action by the Criminal Bar Association this has been widened to include the majority of cases currently in the Crown Court. 

The Law Society have said that the Government’s proposals only amount to a 9% increase for solicitors and therefore does not give effect to the Independent Review’s central recommendation. They have said that unless solicitors are given parity with barristers they will advise their Members that there is no viable future in criminal legal aid work. The Criminal Law Solicitors Association have said they have decided to commission legal advice on the legal position and practical options for the unionisation for criminal legal aid lawyers. 

Purpose of the session

In this evidence session, the Committee will question the Law Society and Criminal Law Solicitors Association on the Government’s response to Bellamy Review and the implementation of its findings. The Committee will also examine whether the current proposals will ensure that criminal law is financially sustainable for law firms, solicitors and barristers. 

Witnesses 

Tuesday 15 November

Panel 1 (2.30pm-4:00pm) 

• Richard Miller, Head of Justice, Law Society 
• Daniel Bonich, Chair, Criminal Law Solicitors Association and Managing Partner, Clarke Kiernan Solicitors LLP 
• Kerry Morgan, Honorary Secretary, Criminal Law Solicitors Association and Director, Morgan Brown Solicitors 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: MoJ