Criminal legal aid solicitors across England and Wales were divided on whether to take direct action this week over new contract terms.
Solicitors at meetings in London, Merseyside and Manchester voted unanimously in favour of direct action, agreeing not to accept legal aid work under the new contracts, which were due to begin on 1 July. Solicitors at meetings in Cardiff, Birmingham and East Yorkshire have also backed the action.
The London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA) meeting described the levels of funding about to be introduced as “untenable” and the new two-tier contract scheme “ill-conceived” as it risked “irreparable and unconscionable damage to the criminal justice system”.
However, solicitors in both Leicester and Teeside voted against direct action.
The new contracts impose a further 8.75% cut on solicitors’ fees for criminal legal aid work. Solicitors say it will be uneconomical for them to do the work to the required standard as they would be running at a loss.
LCCSA President Jon Black says: “We have overwhelming support for this action, which regrettably is necessary as a result of the government’s intention to implement cuts and the proposed further cuts amounting to over 50% on some cases for January 2016, without carrying out the promised meaningful review.
“We have drafted a protocol, and firms that seek to act in breach of this are letting themselves, their professional colleagues and their clients down.”
Independent barristers attending the London meeting expressed support and proposed re-introducing a no returns policy for all existing cases in the Crown Court from 1 July. Manchester’s Garden Court North has also announced its support and is adopting a policy of no returns from 1 July.
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