Criminal lawyers vent anger at pay cuts

Criminal courts across England and Wales are due to be thrown into chaos this week by a two-day strike by legal aid lawyers protesting at plans to change pay structures.

The grass roots action has been arranged by lawyers furious at the potential impact of the Carter proposals, which will introduce competitive tendering, as well as a range of issues surrounding their pay.
The Law Society is currently taking advice on whether it can bring a judicial review against the government’s proposals.

According to the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA), the new payment scheme represents a 10% pay cut overall. It points out that rates of pay have been frozen for 12 years, while costs have risen by 50% over the same period.

The CLSA is supporting the action, although it played no role in organising it.
Prominent criminal lawyer Rodney Warren says: “There’s just huge anger. This is about competitive tendering, the closure of law firms, not having fees raised, not being paid for travelling and waiting. People have had enough and the Legal Services Commission seems to be closing its ears.”