Criminal defence action

Further protest action against proposals to cut criminal defence fees could take place once the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has laid out its response to its controversial consultation, Transforming Legal Aid: Next Steps.

Further protest has been mooted, following the national half-day of action last month. However, Bill Waddington, chair of the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA), says any action is “unlikely” to take place until after the consultation response is published.

Meanwhile, solicitors and barristers have formed a National Justice Committee to present a united front against the proposals. The Committee comprises the CLSA, London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, Legal Aid Practitioners Group, Justice Alliance, Criminal Bar Association and circuit leaders. The Law Society and the Bar Council will attend meetings as observers.

Last week, the MoJ declined the Committee’s request to see copies of reports on the likely impact of its proposals, one by Otterburn Legal Consulting and the other by KPMG.