Solicitors who work or commute to the Isle of Wight or other areas with fewer than two legal aid providers will have their travel time reimbursed.
The Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board—an independent advisory board set up in 2022—published its first report last week, urging ‘substantial immediate additional funding’ above the recommended 15%.
It called for an immediate uplift of RASSO (rape and serious sexual offence) fees to address the shortage of advocates doing this work, and separate payment for youth court work.
Sam Townend KC, chair of the Bar Council, said: ‘Legal aid fees have not kept pace with inflation yet criminal lawyers are working under increasing pressure against growing Crown Court backlogs. Last year one in 20 Crown Court trials was abortive because there was no barrister available.’
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