Death by a 1,000 cuts

Cuts to the legal aid budget dominated the agenda at a conference for barristers last week.

More than 200 barristers attending the Annual Remuneration Conference in London heard how cuts in legal aid pay rates are driving skilled advocates away from publicly funded work. Employed practice is becoming an increasingly popular choice, particularly within the Crown Prosecution Service.

Recent research by the Family Law Bar Association showed some of the most experienced advocates were leaving publicly funded family work.