Responding last week to the government’s Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid, the Bar Council highlighted ‘grave’ weaknesses in the system, including falling numbers of first-time entrant lawyers choosing to work in youth justice due to ‘derisory fees’ for counsel.
It called for legal representation for youths at police stations to be made mandatory; for anyone under 18 years at the time of the alleged offence to be considered a vulnerable person automatically; and for career progression for lawyers specialising in youth justice to be rewarded under fee schemes.
The Bar’s response states: ‘Proper rates of remuneration are by far the most important component in ensuring that the children who remain in the system receive the skilled representation that these serious cases deserve. Unless urgent steps are taken to bring about urgent reform, few able or suitably qualified practitioners will have any incentive to work in this area.’
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