header-logo header-logo

A cold wind blows

15 November 2024 / Roger Smith
Issue: 8094 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Profession
printer mail-detail
196803
Roger Smith on why he believes the model of civil legal aid developed as part of the post-war welfare state is bust

The Autumn budget provides little comfort for civil legal aid practitioners. The good news was that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) overall budget was increased by just under £14m—an annual increase of 5.6%. The bad news was that this largely went on new prison places, more staff and ‘thousands of new electronic tags to monitor offenders’. There was not a word about addressing the crisis in civil legal aid.

That crisis has been documented by the Law Society for some time. It is true that the society is not exactly an impartial source. Its members are hurting here. But few objective observers could quibble with Chancery Lane’s plea for a full ministerial review of legal aid back in February: ‘Without immediate cash investment, civil legal aid providers are facing an existential crisis. Over the past decade the number of legal aid firms has nearly halved, while the number of

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll