header-logo header-logo

Duty solicitor crisis heightens risk of miscarriages of justice

13 March 2024
Issue: 8063 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-detail
The Law Society has warned of the risks of miscarriage of justice due to declining numbers of duty solicitors

Duty solicitors, who advise and represent suspects at police stations and in the magistrates’ courts, are dwindling in number and have an ageing demographic. Since 2017, more than 1,400 duty solicitors have left the sector and there are now 32 duty solicitor schemes with fewer than seven members. Only 4% of duty solicitors are below the age of 35, and the average age in 2021 was 49 years old.

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘Without investment, more solicitors will be forced out of the criminal defence profession, representation will become difficult to provide and there is a serious risk of miscarriages of justice.’

Emmerson urged the government to implement the minimum 15% increase for duty solicitors that was recommended by Lord Bellamy’s Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid in 2021.

Issue: 8063 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

Leading family law set strengthens ranks with high-profile additions

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Firm bolsters commercial team with senior employment partner hire

Irwin Mitchell—Vijay Bange

Irwin Mitchell—Vijay Bange

Head of construction and engineering team appointed

NEWS
Proposed legislation to tighten the rules on pooled client accounts would place ‘substantial’ burdens on solicitors, the Law Society has warned
Increasing numbers of family mediators are cutting back on legal aid work or leaving the sector altogether due to low fees—creating a supply shortfall for low-income families
Lawyers acting in cases funded by damages-based agreements (DBAs) cannot claim their share of the damages if no damages are awarded, the High Court has clarified
Lawyers have given a cautious welcome to a Ministry of Justice decision to increase Crown Court sitting days
Barristers have been targeted with death threats, rape threats, threats to their family members, physical surveillance and threats from politicians, chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC has reported
back-to-top-scroll